Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham is an American model, television host, and body positivity advocate who has broken barriers in the fashion industry as one of the most successful plus-size models in history. Born on October 30, 1987, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Ashley was discovered at age 12 in a shopping mall by a modeling agent. She signed with Wilhelmina Models and later moved to IMG Models, building a career that would challenge and ultimately reshape industry beauty standards.

Ashley made history in 2016 when she became the first plus-size model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. This landmark moment was a turning point both for her career and for size inclusivity in mainstream fashion. She has since appeared on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, and Elle, and has walked runways for major designers. Her success proved that the fashion industry could embrace diverse body types without sacrificing commercial appeal.

Beyond modeling, Ashley has built a multi-faceted media career. She hosted America’s Next Top Model, served as a correspondent for various television programs, and launched her own podcast. She is also an author, having published “A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like” in 2017. Her social media following of over 20 million has made her one of the most influential voices in body positivity and self-acceptance.

Ashley has leveraged her platform to launch successful business ventures including lingerie and swimwear lines designed for all body types. She married videographer Justin Ervin in 2010, and the couple has three sons: Isaac (born 2020) and twins Malachi and Roman (born 2022). She continues to advocate for diversity and inclusion in fashion while expanding her brand through television appearances, product lines, and motivational speaking.