Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham is a groundbreaking model, body positivity advocate, and entrepreneur who has transformed the fashion industry’s standards of beauty. Discovered in a mall as a teenager, she began her modeling career and quickly gained recognition for her curvaceous figure. Graham’s career significantly advanced in 2016 when she became the first plus-size model to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. This marked a historic moment in the industry and challenged conventional perceptions of body image. She continued to appear in the issue in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Throughout her career, Graham has leveraged her platform to champion body inclusivity and self-acceptance. She has collaborated with major brands such as Levi’s, Lane Bryant, and Swimsuits For All, and has graced the covers of leading magazines, including Vogue in 2017. Beyond modeling, Graham promotes messages of empowerment and confidence for women of all sizes, often sharing insights from her own path to self-love. Her media presence includes appearances in music videos for DNCE's "Toothbrush" in 2016 and Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B's "Girls Like You."

Graham's contributions to television and media are notable. She has been a judge on VH1's "America's Next Top Model" and hosted the podcast "Pretty Big Deal." Her hosting roles have extended to Miss USA and Miss Universe events from 2016 to 2018, and she competed on "Lip Sync Battle" in 2017. In 2019, she hosted the second season of "American Beauty Star," and more recently, she hosted the "Countdown to the Oscars" red carpet show in 2023 and the "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge." Additionally, she co-hosts the Roku Original competition show "Side Hustlers," helping to mentor female entrepreneurs alongside Emma Grede.

Graham is also a published author; her book "A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like" offers a critical view of the modeling industry and her vision for changing beauty standards. She delivered a TED Talk on body image in 2015, and in February 2022, released the film "Big. Strong. Woman." at the Adweek Challenger Brands Summit. In 2024, Graham published "A Kid's Book About Beauty," aimed at children.

Outside her professional life, Graham is active in philanthropy, particularly with the Themba Foundation in South Africa, promoting positive self-image. She is married to filmmaker Justin Ervin, and together, they have three children. Through her ongoing work, Graham inspires a global audience by continually pushing the boundaries of beauty and advocating for inclusivity.