Ashley Graham wants millions of fans to know that her successful modeling career is attributable to “white privilege.”
The first plus-sized model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine’s iconic swimsuit issue sat down with New York Magazine this week to discuss her career.
The conversation eventually steered away from the reboot of “America’s Next Top Model” and Instagram stardom (she has 4.7 million followers) to the subject of race.
“I know I’m on this pedestal because of white privilege,” she said for a piece published Aug. 6. “To not see black or Latina women as famous in my industry is crazy! I have to talk about it.”
Ms. Graham, who has also worked with famous brands like Lane Bryant and Michael Kors, referenced lesser known models like Marquita Pring and Precious Lee as evidence of “white privilege.”
“I want to give those women kudos because they are the ones who paved the way for me,” the 29-year-old added.
The model later added that she objects to the term ’plus-sized’ because it can be used as a pejorative.
“That’s something I’ve always been told: ’You’re not good enough because you’re plus-size,’” she said. “I’m not here to ban the word from the dictionary.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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