Ashley Graham is fast becoming one of the world's favourite - and most successful - models. From fronting Vogue's body diversity cover alongside Gigi and Kendall, to walking the catwalk with full cellulite on show, dominating the latest America's Next Top Model series whilst juggling her clothing, lingerie and bathing suit line - she has given a voice to a new generation of women embracing their figures.
And in a new interview with New York magazine we get another glimpse into the 29-year-old's unwavering confidence.
Just a mere 365 days prior to her first Met Gala appearance, Graham had been 'on hold' (a prelude to an invitation) and ended up staying home. 'I couldn't get a designer to dress me,' she says. 'You can't just show up in jeans and a T-shirt.'
One year later, however, and Graham rocked up in a stunning couture gown from H&M, complete with fitted bustier and burst of red tulle at her shoulder. She looked so damn good even Queen of looking ridiculously good Rihanna had to say something about it.
'Rihanna said I looked 'hot as fuck,' explain Graham. 'I had no idea what to say to her. I was just like, 'You slay every Met, Rihanna!''
The interview then reports that once inside, Graham hung out with Kim Kardashian West, who 'picked spinach out of Graham's teeth' and recruited Serena Williams to take a picture of her with Graham.
The model might have become the spokesperson for the full figured woman, but she told the magazine she's not exactly a fan of using the phrase 'plus size' for models or women in general.
'It's like, 'Plus what?'' she said. 'That's something I've always been told: 'You're not good enough because you're plus-size.''
She added, 'I'm not here to ban the word from the dictionary.'
The model also revealed how her road to marital bliss wasn't always easy. She has been happily married for seven years, to beau Ervin, but delves into the time she was dumped in high school because a boyfriend feared she'd one day be the same weight as his mother.
'That really made me hyperaware that I am a big girl, and that's how people see me,' Graham told the magazine.
Graham also touched on her 'white privilege', acknowledging that her women-of-colour model friends like Marquita Pring and Precious Lee aren't getting the same opportunities.
'I know I'm on this pedestal because of white privilege,' she says. 'To not see black or Latina women as famous in my industry is crazy! I have to talk about it. I want to give those women kudos because they are the ones who paved the way for me.'
The constant questions about her body can be tiresome, but she knows it's for the best.
'This is the thing: I know I'm paving the way for the next generation of girls, and they're not going to have to do this. That's what I hope. I'll take the brunt work and just handle it, and then you guys can just sail right on through.'
