Ashley Graham isn’t afraid to show off her bikini body, and now the plus-size model taking the industry by storm.
Along the way, Graaham is collecting new fans with her statements that women of all sizes should feel great about themselves.
Graham broke down barriers when she became the first plus-size model to be included in a campaign in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, and now she is trying to take her message of body acceptance even further. The Nebraska native was featured in the Elle UK “Body Issue” and shared her thoughts on the pressures women face to look a certain way.
“It is so important to be healthy and I truly believe you can be healthy at any size,” she said.
Graham’s message is two-pronged. While she wants all women to feel accepted and loved, she is also encouraging them to stay healthy no matter what their size.
“You can be a size 2, 12 or 22, it doesn’t matter as long as you get off the couch and you take care of your body,” she said. “Your body is going to thank you at the end of the day.”
Ashley Graham has been taking her message even further. She recently delivered a motivational speech as part of the TED talk series, talking about how much it has changed her life since she learned to accept herself.
“I really believe that women need to start looking up to other women, not for their exterior but for their interior and what they’re doing in the world,” she told Elle UK . “Be you, be your own individual.”
The message is resonating with many new fans, who praised Ashley and her message of acceptance.
if i looked any ounce of gorgeous as ashley graham i’d have a heart attack basically. get it, girl. http://t.co/BTjw29PVdd
— Justine Raymond (@gingerfinch) February 4, 2015
Graham’s stature in the modeling world is growing right along with her fanbase. She was recently featured in a skimpy bikini for a new Swimsuits For All campaign .
“Are you ready for this beach body?” the caption read, along with the hashtag #CurvesinBikinis.
“Are you ready for this beach body? We are. All bodies are #BeachBodyReady,” the retailer also tweeted.
Ashley Graham is not the only plus-size model making waves. Tess Holliday , a size 22 model, was recently picked to lead the in Sea by Monif C campaign and was even featured on the cover of People magazine. Another plus-size model, Robyn Lawley, has also been making a name for herself and became the first plus-size model included in the actual Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
[Image via Getty Images/Cindy Ord]
