Ashley Graham has the perfect response to being told she’s taking ‘fat positivity’ too far

Every shape and size is attractive, and the key to body positivity is accepting oneself as we are. It's quite simple to slip into the comparison trap in the digital era. Anyone can feel less confident about themselves after observing seemingly picture-perfect models displaying their tiny waists and hourglass figures. Ashley Graham, a supermodel, on the other hand, is a champion of size inclusion in fashion and is a body acceptance icon. One way she promotes the acceptance of people of all shapes and sizes is by refusing to have her images edited or retouched. Earlier this week, the mother-of-three shared a picture of herself winking at the camera while wearing a backless gold dress. The 35-year-old's caption read: "Quote tweet this with a photo of you taking 'fat positivity' too far. I'll start."

According to TODAY, the model launched the social media campaign after a Twitter user by the name of Sameera Khan posted two images of Graham in a since-deleted tweet that read: "The fat positivity movement is getting out of hand." One of the photographs reportedly showed Graham wearing sparkly, high-heeled boots and a short, open-sided metallic dress which looks to be the same one that she wore in the images uploaded in response to Khan's post. 

Graham's followers enthusiastically reacted to her tweet by posting numerous images of themselves celebrating their bodies. A Twitter user by the name of Dr. Monica Cox wrote: "I gave a presentation at Stanford a couple of weeks ago and talked about the stereotypes of being plus size and how size is part of our DEI narrative. We don't talk about how much women are shamed for being a size people think is unacceptable."

Graham recently discussed body image on the red carpet of the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. "I think that no matter the trend, just know that your body is in, because our bodies are not a trend," she said. She also opened up about embracing her stretch marks, "I'm going to show it all off, as in the photos and in real life," Graham told Access Hollywood.

Graham has promoted body positivity throughout her career and exhorted her fans to radiate confidence, regardless of their size. The model shared in 2020 that she would continue to discuss body image for "the rest of my life."

"There's not a day that goes by where I am not going to have that (body image) discussion with someone else or myself. And also, just being a woman and being in the fashion industry — being an 'influencer' and being on social media—it's constant," she said. Eight months after giving birth to Isaac Menelik Giovanni Ervin, the model also uploaded a candid and raw video of herself cradling her stretch marks in the shape of a heart. Graham's followers, who value her candor about her physical changes and the difficulties faced during her first year of parenthood, praised the video. "SUPER MODELS HAVE STRETCH MARKS," one person wrote. "ASHLEY GRAHAM I WANT YOU TO KNOW YOUR BODY POSITIVITY MAKES THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE AND YOUR THE BOMB.COM," another fan added. 

Filling in for Hoda Kotb and presenting the fourth hour of TODAY with Jenna Bush Hager in August 2020, Graham spoke about how she feels about her body after giving birth. "I think for everything that I've ever stood for, it's about women being and feeling great in their skin no matter who they are, but now as a mother, I think it's even more important because I'm not just a role model for people who follow me. I'm a role model for him," she said.  "Now, having my body completely change and stretch marks and extra weight, and my hips and my stomach have shifted into new areas, I just want women to know that things will change, and it's most important to just continue to love yourself."