Ashley Graham Says ‘Plus-Size’ Term Puts Women Into Categories, Causes False Stereotypes

Ashley Graham recently spoke out about the term “plus-size” and said that it is divisive to women.

During her recent appearance in “CBS’ Sunday Morning” (via People), the Sports Illustrated model said that the term is also associated with false stereotypes. “I think that when you use the word ‘plus-size,’ you’re putting all these women into a category,” she said.

Some of the false stereotypes attached to the term include the notion that women don’t eat well or that they don’t work out. “You couldn’t care less about your body. You’re insecure. You have no confidence. And that is none of this,” she explained.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time that the supermodel spoke about being categorized as “plus-size.” In 2015, she stressed a similar point while giving a Ted Talk speech.

“The fashion industry may persist to label me as ‘plus-size,’ but I like to think of it as ‘my size.’ Curvy models are becoming more and more vocal about the isolating nature of the term ‘plus-size.’ We are calling ourselves what we want to be called – women, with shapes that are our own,” she said.

Graham also made history in the same year after she became the first curvy model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. The 30-year-old model released a statement at that time and expressed how proud she was to represent curvier women.

“I know my curves are sexy, and I want everyone else to know that theirs are too. There is no reason to hide and every reason to flaunt. The world is ready for more curves in bikinis. Swimsuits For All helps women feel confident and sexy in swimsuits, and I am so thrilled to be a part of the #CurvesinBikinis campaign!” she said.

Last year, Graham once again graced the cover of the magazine. During her interview on “CBS’ Sunday Morning,” the model acknowledged what the publication has done for curvier models.

“Sports Illustrated decided to have curvy women not only in their magazine but on the cover of their magazine. Now that means size diversity is here, and it’s real, and it’s not a trend,” she said.