Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham – Life, Career, and Inspiring Quotes

Explore the life, modeling career, activism, and influence of Ashley Graham (born October 30, 1987), a trailblazer in body positivity, fashion inclusion, and self-acceptance.

Introduction

Ashley Graham (Ashley Ann Graham Ervin) is an American model, television presenter, author, and body-positivity advocate. She first gained wide attention when she became one of the first size-16 (plus-size) models to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue (2016). Since then, she has used her platform to challenge beauty standards, promote self-acceptance, and push for greater inclusivity in fashion.

Early Life and Family

Ashley Graham was born on October 30, 1987, in Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. She is the oldest of three sisters. Growing up, she and her family moved within Nebraska.

During her school years, Ashley was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. She attended Scott Middle School (1999–2002) and then Lincoln Southwest High School (2002–2005).

Her modeling journey began early: in 2000, while still a teenager, she was scouted by the I & I agency while shopping at a mall in Omaha.

Youth, Education & Early Career

Though Ashley’s main education was in public school, she began developing her modeling career relatively early. By her teens, she was already working in fashion and modeling contexts.

In her early modeling career, she signed with major agencies (e.g. Wilhelmina Models, then later Ford Models) as she gained exposure.

From early assignments, Ashley worked in editorial shoots, catalogs, and fashion campaigns, gradually building her presence in the industry.

Career & Achievements

Breakthrough in Modeling & Fashion

Ashley Graham is celebrated for redefining what is considered “standard” in fashion. In 2016, she made history by appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue as a size-16 model. That cover was widely seen as a milestone for greater inclusivity in mainstream fashion.

She has graced the covers of major fashion magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle. Her modeling portfolio includes campaigns with brands like Lane Bryant, Levi’s, and others catering to inclusive sizing.

Ashley has taken bold stances in campaigns—most notably, she has refused to retouch or photoshop her stretch marks in swimsuit shoots, emphasizing authenticity and normalizing natural bodies.

She has also ventured into design and fashion lines aimed at inclusive sizing.

Television, Media & Other Ventures

Alongside modeling, Ashley has appeared in television and media roles:

• She has participated in or hosted shows such as The Ashley Graham Project and American Beauty Star.

• In 2025, she made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, marking an expansion into musical theatre.

• She continues to be a public figure in fashion, appearing on red carpets, in interviews, and in philanthropic and advocacy roles.

Personal Life

Ashley is married to Justin Ervin, a videographer; the two met in 2009 and wed in 2010. They have three children: their first son, Isaac Menelik Giovanni Ervin, born on January 18, 2020, and twin sons Malachi and Roman, born January 7, 2022.

Ashley’s personal experiences often inform her public advocacy, especially regarding body image, self-acceptance, and challenging conventional beauty norms.

Legacy & Influence

Ashley Graham is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the movement toward inclusive beauty and fashion:

• She has challenged standard definitions of what a model could be by being visibly larger than the industry norm and still commanding major covers, contracts, and media attention.

• Her advocacy for body positivity, self-love, and natural representation has had ripple effects across fashion, social media, and popular culture.

• She has used her platform to design inclusive fashion lines (e.g. her collaboration with JCPenney) aimed at offering stylish and accessible options for curvier women.

• Her move into Broadway shows the breadth of her ambition and range—she is not limiting herself to modeling, but exploring performance arts as well.

Memorable Quotes by Ashley Graham

Here are a few notable quotes from Ashley Graham that reflect her mindset:

• “For 10 years I’d been told I was always going to be a catalogue girl, never a cover girl.” — speaking on her journey in fashion

• “I feel that to lose weight would be disloyal to myself. A lot of who I am is connected to my size, and I am so happy with who I am.”

• On bodies: “I use my body as a tool to talk about taboo subjects, such as cellulite … and talk life into your body.”

• On authenticity: she refused to retouch stretch marks in her swimsuit campaign, stating she wanted people to see “who I am.”

• On expansion and growth: “I have been told no so many times in my career … and I’m using that and bringing that to the stage.” (in reference to her Broadway role)

Lessons from Ashley Graham

1. Own Your Identity: Ashley’s insistence on visibility, imperfections included, shows how embracing yourself fully can be a powerful act.

2. Redefine Standards, Don’t Wait for Them: She didn’t wait for the industry to change—she worked within it while pushing boundaries.

3. Use Platform for Purpose: Her modeling is inseparable from her advocacy. She leverages influence responsibly.

4. Growth Requires Risk & Reinvention: Transitioning into Broadway and launching inclusive fashion lines reflect willingness to evolve.

5. Voice Matters: Her candid quotes and visibility help people feel seen, heard, and less alone in their own skin.

Conclusion

Ashley Graham is more than a model—she is a movement. Through her career, she has challenged the narrow beauty standards of fashion, spoken openly about body image, and broken barriers by stepping into new arenas such as Broadway. Her journey reminds us that representation and authenticity matter deeply.