Throughout her career both as a model and an activist, Ashley Graham has made body positivity an integral part of her platform. And even while she's currently pregnant with her first child, she continues to advocate for embracing and celebrating all body types. Earlier last week, the model announced the news of her pregnancy through an adorable Instagram post.
"Nine years ago today, I married the love of my life," she captioned a video of her and her husband. "It has been the best journey with my favorite person in the world! Today, we are feeling so blessed, grateful and excited to celebrate with our GROWING FAMILY! Happy anniversary, @mrjustinervin. Life is about to get even better."
Days after, she followed up the happy news with a picture of herself with one hand over her breast showing off her stretch marks. "Same, same but a little different," she wrote. Quickly after, the post was inundated with positive comments from both fans and followers.
"Beautiful beautiful ANGEL," one user wrote.
"Wish I could like this x 100000000 - so gorgeous," another added.
While many influencers and celebrities continue to promote toxic and unrealistic beauty standards, the likes of Graham have been consistently championing the celebration of all body types.
"I'm using my body to let other women know that imperfections are OK. That cellulite, rolls, curves, all of it, things that jiggle that shouldn't be jiggling, it's OK," she told Glamour in 2015.
In a TED talk in 2015, she further reflected on her own experiences while modeling: "I felt free once I realized I was never going to fit the narrow mold that society wanted me to fit in," she said. "And that's okay. Rolls, curves, cellulite, all of it. I love every part of me."
Photo via Instagram