Not only has Ashley Graham broken boundaries when it comes to representing plus-size bodies in the modeling industry, but she also spreads her body positive message to her massive social media following. Between sharing unfiltered photos and starting self-love TikTok trends, Graham is dedicated to helping other people learn to love themselves in the same way she has.
Earlier this week, the model and activist shared her thoughts on the pressure to achieve a “summer body.” Alongside a series of unretouched photos from her followers, starting with an up-close shot of stretch marks, Graham wrote: “As the weather gets warmer, I know a lot of people struggle with wearing less clothes and showing more skin. I hope these photos I’ve been tagged in of so many beautiful bodies motivates you to love the skin you’re in.”
Graham continued her caption, assuring her followers that all bodies are beautiful and do not need changing for the summer season. “Believe me when I say your body is beautiful, and I know it’s easy to tell yourself the lie that you’re not good enough, thin enough, sexy enough, “flawless” enough to wear a tank top or a swimsuit, but it’s hot out there and so are you,” she continued.
She wrapped up the post with a powerful reminder: Nothing is stopping you from wearing what you want but YOU. “Don’t let your mind stop you from enjoying your life to the fullest (and remember to say ‘I love you’ to yourself every day)” she concluded.
Graham’s followers clearly resonated with the post, as it has already garnered nearly 590,000 likes and countless grateful comments. “THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING AN AMAZING ROLE MODEL!!! YOU HELPED ME BUILD MY CONFIDENCE!” wrote one of the women whose image she featured in the post.
“You truly read my mind, I am stuck in that limbo of accommodating my wardrobe to the season but I have tons of insecurities about my body ? I thank you Ashley,” another follower commented.
Graham later followed up her post with a shot of her posing in a gorgeous baby blue bikini, clearly taking her own advice and embracing her summer body. “Thank you for being such a great role model for all women!” one user commented. “You are the reason i bought my first 2 piece swimsuit!” added another.
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