Fans angry at Ashley Graham’s weight loss
Graham said her 'new look' was a trick of the camera. Photo: Composite/Instagram
Popular plus-sized model Ashley Graham has been forced to defend herself to angry fans after posting images of herself looking slimmer than usual.
Graham, who last year became the first plus-sized woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine’s famous swimsuit edition, has gained a legion of adoring followers through her body-positive platitudes and plus-sized lingerie.
But recent images posted to Graham’s Instagram and Facebook account have drawn the ire of fans who say she has “betrayed” them by shedding pounds.
Most of the negative comments centred on an image of Graham wearing a midriff-baring white crop top and matching white skirt (above).
In response, Graham commented on one of the photos saying she was a simply pro who knew how to work the camera.
“Angles will make anyone look bigger or smaller and I just happen to know mine,” she said, according to E! News.
Fans pile on
Graham also said nasty comments about her weight were nothing new.
“People come on my page and body shame me because I’m too big, because I’m too small, because I’m not good enough for their standards … But at the end of the day I’m good enough for me,” she wrote.
Graham has her own lingerie line with brand Addition Elle. Photo: Instagram
But fans seemed genuinely upset that the self-proclaimed “thick-thighed” model appeared to have submitted to weight-loss pressure.
“She’s BARELY plus size anymore! What’s happening to all these models who encourage acceptance at any size?” asked one user.
“They’re all losing weight … I’m annoyed and disappointed.”
Another fan wrote: “Wait a minute. I love her but if this is plus size then I’m obese.”
“It’s scary when someone who I see as gorgeous and healthy, and who makes me feel like I don’t need to meet society’s standards, suddenly starts to meet society’s standards,” wrote a concerned follower.
“Getting skinnier by the day……fame has made Ashley follow the herd and lose her voluptiousness [sic],” commented another.
A separate selfie of Graham lying on the ground in a bikini also sparked debate amongst the model’s two million Instagram followers.
“Okay stop losing weight. Your [sic] not plus size anymore,” wrote one upset fan.
“It’s fine to lose weight, but it makes it seem like she is not actually proud of being plus size,” complained another.
“This looks like a skinny Instagram model picture and not a plus size curvy girl,” wrote a follower.
Others praised Graham for getting “healthy” and knocked users for their negative comments.
Graham made waves in 2015 with her Sport Illustrated cover.
“Good for you, cause you had the courage to show the world your curves, regardless of your size!” wrote one.
“Nothing wrong with losing weight and getting healthy!”
Another called for followers to be kinder.
“It’s disheartening that women can’t be supportive of someone who wants to be fit at any size.
“Angles or not, her body is hers and she’s allowed to do whatever she wants with it.”
Lingerie line not big enough
Fans also complained that Graham’s lingerie line – heavily promoted through her social channels – does not cater to some of the larger sizes.
“How can you call it plus size when your cup size doesn’t go past a DDD?” demanded one user.
“The bras are gorgeous, but I wish you’d carry larger cup sizes,” lamented another.
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