Why Ashley Graham Says the GLP-1 Trend is “a Smack in the Face”

by

Ashley Graham is strutting into a conversation about weight loss drugs.

The supermodel, a longtime supporter of body positivity, recently shared her honest opinions about how weight loss injections are impacting the movement.

Honestly, it’s been really upsetting to watch. For a while, things were moving in such a great direction – it felt like we were truly embracing body acceptance, positivity, and letting everyone just be themselves. It was a really hopeful time, but it feels like that’s shifted now.

She continued, saying that reversing course now feels like a harsh blow to women who finally felt like their voices were being heard.

She pointed out that, like all trends, weight loss injections such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy won’t stay popular forever, and emphasized that every woman’s body is unique and deserves to be treated as such.

Ashley pointed out that societal standards change, and these medications – GLP-1s – reflect current trends. She emphasized that while these drugs are popular, they won’t eliminate the existence of plus-size women or change the overall statistics.

Despite the growing trend of medications for weight loss, the 38-year-old explained why the body positivity movement will continue to be important.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve noticed a fantastic shift in the online world! There’s a huge and growing number of plus-size influencers and content creators, and it’s wonderful. What I love is the diversity – they represent all sorts of bodies, shapes, and sizes, and people are really connecting with their authenticity and finding someone they can truly relate to.

What I find most amazing is that these young women, who grew up with social media, now have a voice to tell the next generation to embrace who they are. They’re saying things like, ‘It’s okay to be yourself, and don’t worry about things like cellulite!’

She’s learning to accept her body after having children, a journey many new mothers experience. She’s still adjusting to life after welcoming her son Isaac, now 6, and her twins Malachi and Roman, who are 4, with her husband Justin Ervin.

Ashley explained that adjusting to her new body has been challenging. She doesn’t feel self-love when she looks in the mirror, but instead feels pride in the fact that she’s a mother. Her focus is on the children she’s raised, rather than her physical appearance.

She said she was in excellent shape when she became pregnant in 2019. Now, she’s working to regain that level of fitness, but she’s also accepted that her body has changed. She’s realized she won’t look the same as she did in her 20s and early 30s, and she’s shifted her focus to embracing her current self. She described this internal shift as a constant conversation she’s been having with herself for the past four years.

For more stars who have spoken out about body positivity, read on…

It feels like we’ve lost sight of what normal bodies actually look like. Many of us, myself included, are dealing with body changes, and that’s okay. It’s a process, and it takes time to accept that. I’m realistic – I see I’ve gained weight and my body has changed. But I also see the beautiful children I have, a son and a daughter, and I’m genuinely happy.

In February 2020, Leonardo DiCaprio responded to paparazzi photos of him surfing. He explained that he used to be very self-conscious about his body, especially after years of public criticism. He said he didn’t even take his shirt off in front of family until he was in his mid-30s. Now, at 37, he feels good about himself and isn’t bothered by the media trying to photograph him, stating he finally accepts and loves himself.

In August 2021, he got a tattoo that said “Body Love,” playfully imitating the logo of the Body Glove brand, which makes gear for water sports.

In 2018, the singer shared on Instagram that despite having stretch marks, cellulite, and extra fat – things she dealt with while battling bulimia for years – she still loves herself.

Demi Lovato explained to TopMob News that after comparing themselves to Instagram models, they felt it was important to show fans that social media doesn’t always reflect reality. They decided to embrace their natural self – what they see as simply part of who they are, not flaws – and demonstrate that imperfection is what truly makes someone beautiful.

In December 2020, she posted on Instagram photos showing her stretch marks outlined with glitter.

Let’s be real – nobody wakes up looking perfect! It just goes to show how much a good team of stylists can do.

Growing up, I never once heard a woman express love or pride for her body – not my mom, my sister, or even my closest friends. That’s why I make a point of telling my daughter, Mia, that I love and am proud of my body, because building a positive body image needs to start when children are young.

Just a reminder: wear a bikini if that’s what you want! You absolutely don’t need to be a certain size to enjoy wearing one.

I often get asked where my confidence comes from. The truth is, it came from within. I simply made a decision to believe in my own beauty and started living as if that were true. I choose clothes and makeup that make me feel good, and that makes a huge difference. It’s not about what others think; it’s about your own self-perception. Treat your body like a home – it deserves to be cherished and adorned.

Over the years, I’ve consistently shown that I don’t care what anyone thinks about my body. I’ve confidently walked red carpets in high fashion as a size 14, and even filmed intimate scenes shortly after surgery, scars and all. I understand my body is constantly changing, and I’ve embraced that. My happiness isn’t tied to my size; I’m proud of everything my body has experienced and accomplished.

It’s easy to be hard on ourselves and our appearance, even when others don’t notice. I’ve seen comments about my weight, suggesting I’m trying to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. Actually, I find it difficult to gain weight, particularly when I’m stressed or getting older. To cope, I try to practice self-compassion – to treat myself with the same kindness and understanding I would offer my own daughter. It sounds a little silly, but it genuinely makes a difference.

My advice to young women would be to not focus so much on your weight. It’s something girls often worry about unnecessarily, and there are much more important things to think about. And for everyone – young men and women – embrace what makes you unique. So many people try to fit in, but it’s the people who stand out that truly get noticed. I used to be self-conscious about my nose, but now I’ve learned to accept it, and that’s okay.

When I first got the role of Annalise Keating, I immediately thought she was captivating and intriguing. I was used to playing characters who were very different – women who needed to gain weight and wear practical clothing. So, my initial reaction was that I needed to transform physically – lose weight, learn to walk in heels like Kerry Washington, and get into shape. But then I started to question why I felt I needed to change at all. I’ve come to realize that the greatest gift is being true to yourself, something I’ve fully embraced recently at 51. I believe my real strength as an actress is creating a world that you, the viewer, enter. I don’t try to fit into your expectations; I want you to join me in my world, and experience it as I am – with my body, my skin tone, and my age.

It bothers me when people praise my body as ‘brave.’ I’m just being myself and feeling good in my own skin. If someone like Anne Hathaway were to appear in a bikini on a billboard, no one would commend her courage – it’s a double standard that exists for women. I also don’t appreciate the surprise when I confidently embrace my own beauty; it feels unnecessary and a bit shocking to others.

In 2016, the celebrity responded to criticism online after being labeled a “thinspiration model” and accused of negatively influencing young teenagers.

She tweeted, “Is this amusing to you? I’m about to explain things further #youreallywannabenext?” Then, she added, “Now, everyone should look in the mirror, appreciate your amazing body, and love it! #thickgirlswinning #skinnygirlswinning #weallwinning.”

In 2016, Zendaya publicly criticized a magazine for heavily editing her photos. She posted on Instagram explaining that such alterations contribute to unrealistic beauty standards and can damage women’s self-esteem. Zendaya shared the original, unedited photo alongside the retouched version, stating she champions self-love and authenticity.

In an interview with New You, the star spoke out against excessive photoshopping, saying she doesn’t believe anyone is truly ‘ugly.’ She believes perfection lies in being yourself, as no one else can replicate your unique qualities. She wants her followers to know she’s not perfect either and faces the same struggles they do, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and confidence.

Don’t worry about what others think of your appearance – you are who you are, and you should be comfortable with that. Why would you suffer and deprive yourself just to please other people? It doesn’t make sense.

I embrace being a strong, powerful, and beautiful woman, and I know there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s vital to focus on the good things in life, because dwelling on the negative can be really discouraging. I simply don’t have time for negativity – I have goals to achieve, like winning championships, and people to motivate, and that’s my purpose.

I don’t even use a scale. With my two young daughters, I don’t want them to focus on weight and see me constantly weighing myself – I don’t think that’s a good example to set. For me, it’s about accepting myself. It’s easy to find flaws when you look in the mirror, but I choose to focus on feeling healthy, grateful, and good about who I am. I don’t need to be perfect; I’m happy with how things are.

Becoming pregnant changed how I felt about my body. I realized it wasn’t meant to just look a certain way, but to do amazing things, like grow a baby. I felt good knowing I was gaining weight healthily and everything was progressing well. That positive relationship with my body has continued ever since.

It really hit me recently just how much emphasis we put on being thin, instead of actually being healthy. I finally saw a naturopath, and I opened up about my constant worry over food and my endless dieting. She asked me something that completely changed my perspective: what would I be focusing on if I wasn’t always thinking about my weight? It made me realize all the hobbies and passions I’d let slip away. Somewhere along the way, I let the pursuit of thinness take over my life, and I just didn’t have mental space for anything else. I’m finally letting go of the idea that a ‘perfect’ body is the key to happiness. I’m realizing that genetics play a huge role in body type, and while good food and exercise are essential for health, they don’t guarantee you’ll be thinner – and honestly, I’m okay with that.

I’ve been hearing people talk about my body, and I wanted to say that I’m proud of who I am – and everyone else should be proud of themselves too, no matter what! You don’t need to change for anyone to achieve your goals. Just be yourself, authentically and unapologetically – that’s what truly makes a champion. (This was in response to comments about my performance at the Super Bowl.)

I used to severely restrict my eating and obsess over every detail if I had even a simple photoshoot with a t-shirt on, and I’d usually end up deleting the pictures. But yesterday, I decided to challenge those old habits and embrace my body as it is – to stop trying to change my chest, hips, and curves, which are a natural part of who I am and that my parents love. I know some people might see this as vain, but if you knew how much courage it took, given the body image issues I struggled with as a child, you’d understand it’s not about that.

I often look at myself in the mirror and playfully accept my flaws. I might think, ‘Okay, my body isn’t changing, and that’s alright!’ I remind myself I have ways to feel confident, like shapewear. What we say to ourselves matters immensely. Simply telling yourself ‘I love you’ or offering a single positive affirmation each day can really shift your perspective and improve how you feel.

Read More

2026-05-02 23:48