Ashley Graham recalls Cheryl Tiegs decried her "large" for sports
Don’t cross Ashley Graham. During an interview for fellow supermodel Naomi Campbell‘s “No Filter With Naomi” YouTube Series on Thursday, the 32-year-old stunner discussed the controversy surrounding her 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover.
“There was another model who was so upset that I had gotten the cover and she said I was very large and that women my size should not be on the cover,” Graham, who was the first size-16 model to earn the honor, recalled.
“You can go look it up,” the Nebraska native added, declining to name the critic in question but hinting that her name begins with the letter “C.”
It’s almost certain Graham was referring to catwalk legend Cheryl Tiegs, who famously slammed her cover.
“Actually I don’t like it that we’re talking about full-figured women because it’s glamorizing them and your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches],” the former SI star, 72, told E! News in 2016. “That’s what Dr. Oz said and I’m sticking to it.”
Added Tiegs, “Her face is beautiful – beautiful – but I don’t think it’s healthy in the long run.”
Faced with backlash, the fashion icon later tried to clarify her comments, tweeting, “My sincere apologies to everyone I have hurt. I truly just want everyone to be healthy & happy.”