We have to admit.

Ever since Ashley Graham featured in our ELLE Body Issue last year, we've have a little (okay, enormous) crush on the size 18 supermodel.

But our love for Graham has just gone stratospheric as she's just taken down trolls who criticise her curves in the most perfect way. 

On Wednesday, the 28-year-old posted behind-the-scenes shots of a recent Sports Illustrated shoot to Instagram after one troll called her thighs 'cellulite city'. 

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Teaching haters a powerful message about body positivity and diversity, she captioned the image: 'Someone once told me my thighs were 'cellulite city'. But I now realize these thighs tell a story of victory and courage. 

'I will not let others dictate what they think my body should look like for their own comfort, and neither should you,' she added. 

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The inspirational picture has been liked more that 110,000 times and has drawn in thousands of fans thanking the model for advocating body acceptance and taking down unrealistic beauty standards.

In honour of Graham, we've rounded up exactly why we can't get enough of the Nebraska-born beauty.

1. She was the first plus-size model to model in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition

In February, Graham became the first plus-size model to grace one of three covers of the magazine.

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Following the announcement, Graham posted a picture on Instagram with the quote: 'This cover is for every woman who felt like she wasn't beautiful enough because of her size. You can do and achieve anything you put your mind to.'

Yes, Ashley!

2. She's a coveted music video star

When Joe Jonas' band DNCE wanted to film the video for its single 'Toothbrush', there was only one woman in mind to play the love interest – Ashley Graham. 

3. She launched a new swimwear collection to empower women

In May, the model launched a swimwear collection featuring 11-pieces that defy typical options offered to plus-size women.

Deemed a 'James Bond-inspired collection', Graham told Refinery 29: 'I wanted [my customer] to not feel like a Bond girl, but to feel like the badass Mr. Bond himself.'

'When you put on these suits, you can take over the world... That's what I'm doing! I put on a suit and took over the world!' 

4. Her TEDXTalk made us teary

Last year, the body activist spoke to a sold-out audience at a TEDxTalk in Spain to promote her message of body love and acceptance.

During the speech she admitted she learned to face her insecurities so that she'd one day be able to take control of her body and confidence.

'I felt free, once I realized I was never going to fit the narrow mold that society wanted me to fit in. I was never going to be perfect enough for an industry that defines perfection from the outside in, and that's okay,' she said.  

5. She likes a boogie

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Enough said.

6. She's made history in the name of body diversity – more than once

Not only is she the first plus-size model to feature in Sports Illustrated magazine's swimsuit edition, she made history last year when she modeled her own swimwear collection alongside a cast of women of all shapes and sizes. 

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7. She likes food and fitness

Ashley Graham – a girl after our own hearts. 

Headshot of Katie O'Malley
Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.