Ashley Graham

Biography

Ashley Graham is an American Model, Designer, TV presenter and body positivity activist. She has featured on many popular magazines like Bust, Cosmopolitan, Elle UK, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Maxim, SELF, Sports illustrated, Style Magazine, Vogue, YM magazine among others.

Childhood, Family & Personal Life

Ashley Ann Graham was born on 30th October 1987 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Linda Graham(Mother) & her husband.

She is the eldest of three daughters to her parents. One of her sisters is named Abigail. Abigail is a plus sized model who has appeared alongside Ashley in swimsuit photoshoot.

[Ashley Graham with sister Abigail]

Education

• Middle School: Scott Middle School (1999-2002)
• High School: Lincoln Southwest High School (2002-2005)

Marriage

Justin Ervin

Justin Ervin (a cinematographer & an award winning director, he owns Element Films Inc, ) & Ashley met each other during a humanitarian event at the Church in 2009, she worked the elevator at the Church that day and he wouldn't get off, they dated for a year before tying the knot. While dating they went to rollerblading, biking together. They did karaoke together and liked walking in the evening together.

Justin Ervin is known for directing Elephant in the room(2012), Six Months Later(2014); His works as cinematographer include- Down a Dark Stairwell(2020), Pain of Love (2014), Elephant in the Room(2012)

They got married on August 14th of 2010. She says they abstained from having sex until their marriage, because of her previous extreme indulgences she wanted this particular relationship to be special.

Image: Ashley Graham with husband Justin Ervin

In an interview, Ashley revealed that her old grandmother wasn't happy about her marrying out of her race. However Justin being a smooth talker won her over after a few meetings.

The couple have three children:

1. Isaac Menelik GiovanniErvin (b. January 18, 2020)
2. Malachi Ervin (b. January 7, 2022)
3. Roman Ervin (b. January 7, 2022)

Career

Modeling

2000-2010

She was 12 when she started in modeling.

In 2000 Ashley was accidentally discovered while shopping in the mall at Omaha, Nebraska by the talent agents of I & I agency. In 2001 Ashley signed contracts with Wilhelmina Models & worked with them for some time. She worked with Ford Models from 2003.

Around this time, she appeared in YM Magazine. She was profiled by Vogue magazine in April 2007. Glamour magazine came out with an editorial on her with the title "These Bodies are Beautiful at Every Size" in October 2009, it had Amy Lemons, Anansa Sims, Crystal Renn, Jennie Runk, Kate Dillon Levin and  Lizzie Mille were also covered in the editorial.

2010-2020

Lane Bryant TV Ad: In 2010, Ashley Graham appeared nude in a sexy lingerie ad by Lane Bryant, it was an ad appreciative of all body types, especially focusing on the plus size body models. Ashley and other full figure models appeared on the TV. The ad surprisingly faced controversies. It received over 800,000 views on YouTube. It was covered by news publications such as The Huffinton Post, Buzzfeed and New York Post. 

Ashley compared the ad with Victoria's Secret commercials which are perhaps more racy but never get any slack. Perhaps it is a size-ist thing.

She appeared in a Bust magazine editorial in 2010. In 2011, she appeared in Levi's campaigns (Boyfriend Collection F/W, Curve ID SS)  with Ana Lisboa, Anais Mali, Ashley Smith, Marquita Pring, McKenzie Raley, Rachel Clark, Sabina Karlsson.

In 2012, she appeared in multiple Marina Rinaldi campaigns (Spring/Summer, Fall/Winter denim,  Fall/Winter sport)

She was featured on 2 billboards (Time Square and 34th street) in New York in December 2012 in an Ad for Lane Bryant. In 2012 she was named Full Figured Fashion Week's Model of the Year.

In 2013, dhe designed a plus-size lingerie for the Canadian clothing retailer Addition Elle.

In May 2014, she appeared on the Harper's Bazaar pre-fall collection and beauty editorial. She appeared on the cover page of Elle Quebec in the June 2014 issue.

In 2015, she appeared in and advertisement in Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue for swimsuitsforall as a part of their #CurvesInBikinis campaign.

Miss USA and Miss Universe

 She served as a backstage host for Miss USA 2016, Miss USA 2017,Miss Universe 2016, Miss Universe 2017, and Miss Universe 2018.

Ashley Graham project

The Go90 digital network made 9 episode series with focus on Ashley titled Ashley Graham project. This biographical work written by Nick Teplitz focused on the fast-paced lifestyle of Ashley Graham.

Some of the brands she has modeled for are:

• Addition Elle
• Bloomingdales
• Elomi lingerie
• Evans
• Hanes
• Kohl's
• Lane Bryant
• Liz Claiborne
• Macy's
• Nordstrom
• Old Navy
• Simply Be
• Target

Some of the popular international designer she has worked with are:

• Christian Siriano
• Dolce and Gabbana
• H&M
• Love Mag
• Michael Kors
• Prabal Gurung
• Rag & Bone
• Tommy Hilfiger

Acting/ Hosting

In 2007 she appeared on MTV in the self-improvement reality show 'Made' as a coach for an aspiring plus-size model

America's Next Top Model

She was a judge on the VH1 America's Next Top Model, she appeared in a total of 30 episodes between 2016 and 2018.

In DNCE's music video 'Toothbrush' she appeared opposite Joe Jonas.

Lip Sync battle against Jermaine Fowler 

She participated in Spike's Lip Sync Battle against actor Jermaine Fowler, and won it with her performance of Shawn Mendes's "Treat You Better" and Shania Twain's "That Don't Impress Me Much"

American Beauty Star

She hosted and produced 13 episodes of the second season of the TV competition reality show American Beauty Star, it was aired on Lifetime.

Big. Strong. Woman.

For International Women's Day in February 2022, Ashley and Canadian businesswoman Joanna Griffiths released a film at the dweek Challenger Brands Summit, it focuses on fighting stereotypes and focusing on the inner strength of character.

She hosted the 95th Academy Awards 'Countdown to the Oscars' red carpet presentation show alongside actress Vanessa Hudgens and youtuber Lilly Singh.

Writing

A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like

Ashely published the book a book published by Ashley in 2017, the memoir released in 2017 gives insight to her experiences as a model, the importance of body positivity in modeling and life, she shares her vision for the future of body positivity in the field of modeling. It was published through 'Dey Street Books'

Activism & Philanthropy

• ALDA: She is one of the founding member of ALDA, a coalition of models that promotes beauty and healthy body imageof the female body beyond limitations of size
• She is dedicated to speaking at High schools, to educate and encourage young girls about body image and acceptance of natural and healthy body.
• Themba Foundation: Through Themba Foundation, she has participated in many humanitarian missions to Sotuh Africa.
• Body Positivity: She has been fully involved in promoting positibe body image, be it through her interactions with high school girls, through her book 'A New Model', through her TED talks, her various interviews, through her instagram posts which have inspired millions of women to be comfortable in their bodies and clothes.
• 2024 presidential campaign: She donated towards Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign for 2024 presidency.

Filmography

Interesting Facts

• She was still in High School when she started her career as a model.
• Ashley Graham designed a lingerie line for the Canadian clothing store chain - Addition Elle in 2013.
• Swimsuitsforall made a campaign #CurvesInBikinis to raise the awareness that every type of body is beautiful. Ashley Graham was hired by swimsuitsforall for the campaign.
• Ashley Graham became the 1st plus-size model to be published on the cover of 'Sports Illustrated'
• Graham was a judge at the reality show 'America's Next Top Model'
• Graham was a backstage host for the competitions Miss USA 2016, Miss USA 2017
• Jezebel listed her as one of the Top 5 plus size models alongside Alyona Osmanova, Leah Kelley, Sabina Karlsson, Marquita Pring.
• Ashley was of size 12 at the age of 12.
• I was always beyond confident because my mom and dad never put me down for my size, I come from a big-boned family.
• She was listed in the prestigious- Forbes Top 30 Under 30 list.
• Ashley Graham lingerie collection: Ashley launched her own line of lingeries in 2015. She designs them for Addition Elle, swimsuitsforall.
• TED Talk: Ashley has given a talk on body diversity to a full hall audience.
• In November 2016 in the show "Good Morning America" as a part of the series 'Body Proud' doctors conducted medical tests on Ashley & Abeda Davis 2 of the popular plus-size models, the tests concluded both to be very healthy. It goes on to break the myth that full figure bodies are unhealthy
• She is into sports like Boxing & practices fitness exercises like Barre, Bootcamp, CrossFit, Rollerblading, Weight-lifting. She usually works out in the morning.
• She got called 'Cow' on her instagram account for her size, but such mean comments never disturbed her as she felt comfortable with herself.
• Ashley and her trainer have created a fitness program called 'Curvy Fit Club' for the plus size women.
• She is lactose intolerant, she takes sorbet instead of ice creams.
• She was named 'Woman of the Year' by Glamour(2016)
• There is a Barbie doll modeled after Ashley
• She was listed in People Magazine's '25 Most Intriguing People of the Year. for the year2016.
• She featured in the 'Most Influence People in the World' list by TIME magazine for 2017.
• She can drink a bottle of water in one take. 
• She laughs obnoxiously as per her own confession.
• She can apply lipstick without a mirror.
• Ashley is White by race, but has looks similar to Eva Mendez who is a Latino.
• She is the first plus-size model to be hired by Jennifer Lopez for her line of clothing
• Her husband has a pet name for her- Butt.
• She was molested at the age of 10 by a relative f age 18, and had went through domestic abuse.
• Substance abuse: She was addicted to cocaine and was also into alcohol when she was 19.
• Ashley had been making in excess of $100,000 per year since she was 17. But she lost a lot of it in her youth from irresponsible spending.
• When asked if she has a weighing scale at home? "Ew gross, no. I don't care what I weigh." she replies.
• She appeared in a video for DNCE singer Joe Jonas.
• Her mother had not seen a black person in real life until she was 18 years old.
• She is of German & English ancestry.
• She considers Kim Kardashian her Icon and inspiration.
• She has attended the shows- 'Entertainment Tonight', 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' (it dealt with her Lane Bryant Ad)
• She has been interviewed by CBS News, NPR.
• She is a good friend of youtuber Lilly Singh. [2]
• She was diagonised with ADD and dyslexia in her youth.
• She doesn't like Gym much; she likes Bikram Yoga, rollerblading. [3]
• She gifted herself a necklace charm that had "I Love you" inscribed on it. She was gotten over a boyfriend and thought it would make a good gift to herself [3]

Fat Shamed

She was bullied in school, she was called names like 'thunder thighs', 'cottage cheese thighs'. 

She had a broken relationship with her father. He was critical of Ashley and had nicknamed her 'Duh', shaming her for her size and calling her dumb.

Her first boyfriend dumped her for being fat and not willing to have sex with.

When she appeared in the YM Magazine, the girls in school taunted her "you are not a real model; you're a fat model", she would reply "I got paid for that job." Soon after her graduation from High School, she left to New York.

Diet

• Her favorite green juice has: apple, ginger, kale, lemon, spinach.
• Diet Breakfast: yogurt + granola + honey.
• Regular lunch: carbs, meat, vegetables
• Avoids: fried food, Ice creams

Quotes

• Stand up for curves, confidence is sexy.
• Let's face it, America is getting bigger, and women want to see themselves instead of the image of what society says they should be.
• I really feel like I am a lingerie girl
• The healthier you are, the more comfortable you’ll be in your own skin. And that’s all that matters.
• When people see a big person, they equate them with unhealthy, But I think I am the definition of health, even though I am quite curvy.
• If you think everyone is staring at you, just think, 'It must be because I look awesome.'
• Working out helps with depression, sleeping, it helps with confidence.
• There is so much more to being happy in life than being concerned about your weight and the way you look
• I workout, I do my best to eat well. I love the skin I'm in. And I'm not ashamed of a few lumps, bumps or cellulite and you shouldn't be either
• I'm fully aware that I'm being praised for something a lot of women of color have been put down for, simply because I'm white.
• I lost my virginity to a guy I barely knew because he gave me compliments
• I wouldn't care if my butt grew to the size of Timbuktu. But when I feel I need to go to the gym, it's my stomach [3]
• My body is my body, and I get to have all the rules [4]
• I'm here to make you understand that true beauty is being OK with who you are. Being OK with who you are is a revolutionary act. And making someone else feel OK with who they are? That’s downright heroic. [4]

Sources

1. Ashley Graham on wikipedia
2. Ashley IMDB bio page
3. Yahoo Lifestyle
4. Ashley Graham on Glamour
5.