An intriguing figure has emerged within the ranks of the U.S. Secret Service. Alison Zupancic, a former Secret Service agent tasked with safeguarding former Vice President Kamala Harris’s stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, has an unconventional background that has caught the public’s attention.

Zupancic, who is also a plus-size model, has openly embraced her identity as a “nationally published curve model, plus-size fashion and fitness influencer, and body-positive advocate” through her social media platforms. Her unique profile comes under the spotlight not just for her modeling career but also because she was retained in her role despite not passing the agency’s physical fitness test on several occasions, sources informed RealClearPolitics.

This hiring decision aligns with the broader objectives of the agency under the former leadership of Kimberly Cheatle, who prioritized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout her tenure. Cheatle’s emphasis on DEI has been a defining element of her leadership, aiming to create a more inclusive work environment within the Secret Service.

While Zupancic’s role in protecting Emhoff took place in New York, her story is a compelling reflection of the evolving standards and cultural shifts within the agency, sparking discussions on the balance between traditional requirements and progressive inclusivity.

Zupancic was retained at the Secret Service despite failing her physical fitness test multiple times, per RealClearPolitics.

During her employment the former agent starred in a plus-size clothing company’s marketing campaign that hinted at her position with the Secret Service.

A photoshoot for ELOQUII, a fashion retailer that describes itself as ‘the ultimate destination for stylish plus size fashion 14-32,’ featured Zupancic in a floral-print dress behind bold text that read: ‘Undercover, But Never Underdressed.’

The announcement of the marketing campaign mentioned that it featured a ‘a law enforcement professional’ in order to shed ‘light on the preconceived notions around the profile of a woman behind a certain career.’

Alison Zupancic used to be a Secret Service agent while also working as a plus-size model, and she never completed her physical fitness test

During her time at the Secret Service Zupancic was featured in a marketing campaign by the plus-size clothing company ELOQUII

It also stated that the campaign was meant to ‘challenge unconscious bias in the workplace and beyond.’ 

After Zupancic’s multiple failed fitness tests, she was placed in the Special Services Division, the arm of the Secret Service that handles support functions. 

In that role, she handled maintenance of the armored vehicle fleets and screened mail and packages received by the White House. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Secret Service and Zupancic for comment.

It is not clear if Zupancic left the service before or after Cheatle was ousted as head of the agency in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in July 2024.

Cheatle held her leadership role at the agency from the time she was appointed by President Joe Biden in September 2022 until she resigned last year.

At the time of her departure, 24 percent of agents and officers at the agency were women, agency sources told RealClearPolitics. 

The outlet was also told that during the former director’s tenure, agents in minority groups were able to enter chat rooms on the agency’s internal DEI website where they could vent about workplace frustrations. 

Zupancic worked at the Secret Service while it was under the leadership of Kimberly Cheatle, who promoted DEI initiatives during her tenure and was forced to resign after the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump

Zupancic was assigned to the detail of Vice President Kamala Harris’s stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff

Since Cheatle was replaced by the Secret Service’s current director, there have been no serious attempts on the president’s life, but the agency has still suffered embarrassing incidents

At a press conference after Cheatle’s resignation, House Speaker Mike Johnson said: ‘The immediate reaction to her resignation is that it is overdue, she should have done this at least a week ago.

‘Now we have to pick up the pieces. We have to rebuild the American people’s faith and trust in the Secret Service as an agency.’

Cheatle was replaced by current Secret Service Director Sean Curran, who entered the role in January this year. 

Since then, there have been no serious assassination attempts on the president’s life, but the Secret Service has still suffered a number of embarrassing incidents and political violence has been on the rise. 

Over Labor Day weekend, a Secret Service officer failed to notice a Glock pistol after screening the bag of a man entering Trump’s DC golf course while the president was on site. The man noticed the mistake and self-reported the firearm.

In mid-September a Secret Service agent attributed Charlie Kirk’s assassination to ‘karma’ was placed on administrative leave.

While earlier this month, a Secret Service agent fell asleep in public while providing security for the UN General Assembly and left his fully-automatic assault rifle unattended when he went to the restroom.