Ashley Graham on her recent body shaming controversy: 'My body is MY body. I'll call the shots.'
Ashley Graham can't catch a break. The 2016 SI Swimsuit cover model "gets criticized for being too fat — and for being too thin," and in a new Lenny Letter, she's encouraging women (and men!) around the world to embrace #BeautyBeyondSize and stop body shaming each other.
In a note posted to actress Lena Dunham's website this morning, the bombshell babe addresses that controversial Instagram photo yet again, this time admitting that while she knows she should never read the comments, she's built a community and platform on knowing and encouraging her fans through social platforms.
"According to the comments [on the afore mentioned Instagram post], some people were upset because I appeared to be slimmer," Ashley penned. "(Knowing my angles is one thing, but I must be a magician to make people think I went from a size 14 to a size 6 in a week!) The reality is I haven't lost a pound this year. In fact, I'm actually heavier than I was three years ago, but I accept my body as it is today.
"I work out not to lose weight but to maintain my good health. And anyway, if I did want to lose weight, it would be no one's decision but my own."
The nationally-known body activist goes on to explain that she finds joy in serving as an example for "all women who don't feel comfortable in their own skin."
"I am more than my measurements," Ashley states. "I'm not Ashley Graham just because I'm curvy. For the past sixteen years, my body has been picked apart, manipulated, and controlled by others who don't understand it. But now my career has given me a platform to use my voice to make a difference. We can't create change until we recognize and check our own actions."
So to anyone even thinking about calling our cover girl anything but beautiful, we suggest you "worry about [your] own bod[y]." Because, in case it wasn't already clear, Ashley Graham is officially calling the shots when it comes to her own.
BONUS: See some of Ashley's hottest moments from SI Swimsuit 2016!
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016
Ashley Graham, SI Swimsuit 2016