At just 29, Ashley Graham has gone where no plus size model has been before. Not only has she been on the cover of Vogue, but her landmark cover of Sport’s Illustrated Swimsuit edition was the first to feature a size (US) 14 model. Her Instagram is a source of inspiration where she spreads an anti-photoshop message and shows that cellulite is normal. She’s walked in the Michael Kors show and partied at The Met Gala. Adding to her already extensive CV, she has just published a book.
Called A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty and Power Really Look Like, it’s Graham’s first book. Touching on fat-shaming, her youth and her family, it’s said to be a stark insight into the star’s psyche.
‘Constant criticism -- that was my dad through and through,’ the model writes, ‘My father was a master of the cutting insult. His nickname for me was, “Duh,” because he didn't think I was very smart.
‘The worst I ever felt in my entire career was when, a few years into my career, my dad agreed with my new agent, who said I needed to ‘tighten up.’ … I was sobbing because my dad thought I should lose weight.’
So far, there has only been one review on Amazon but it was a five-star endorsement. ‘I pre-ordered this book back in February and received it today. I read it in its entirety in one sitting. There is nothing more refreshing than reading about someone's journey when it is so genuine. Raw, including the successes but not leaving out the non-glamourous parts along the way...Women empowering other women to be their very best no matter what.’ It reads.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.