'Going to show it all': Model Ashley Graham flaunts her stretch marks at the 2022 MTV VMAs
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY- Model Ashley Graham wasn't afraid to show off her stretch marks at the 2022 MTV VMAs. Ashley told Access Hollywood, "I’m going to show it all off, like in the photos and in real life! I feel sexy and hot and I’m like, ‘Wait, I do have eight month old twins at home,’” when she made an appearance at this year’s MTV VMAs at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The television presenter, a known advocate for body positivity, wore a black, cut-out dress from Houghton by Katharine Polk. Ashley's mid-length bodycon dress also featured a halter neckline and ruched fabric held with silver hardware.
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The 34 year old model spoke to Access Hollywood at length about her cutout fashion statement and the decision to show her stretch marks. She said, “I haven’t been on a live stage in years,” adding,“the pandemic, the babies, the breastfeeding. It’s like what?”
Ashely said, “I’m like, ‘OK, here we go, stretch marks! Let’s go!’" The model gave birth to twins Malachi and Roman in January 2022 and shared a mirror selfie on her Instagram in April showing off her postpartum tummy. She wrote, “hi, new tummy. We’ve been through a lot. Thank you.”
Five months after welcoming her twin boys, Ashley posted a reel praising her body in the mirror. Ashley captioned the reel, "posting this video for all the mamas who haven’t and may never “bounce back” and for anyone who needs to be reminded that your body is beautiful in its realest form. this is my strong, five-month-postpartum-been-pregnant-for-two-years body. as it is. in hopes to further normalize ALL bodies in every and any stage of life."
Ashley is a strong supporter of body positivity. In 2016, she became the first size 16 model to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She also posed on the cover of Vogue in 2017, becoming the first plus-size model to do so for the magazine.
In an interview with Vogue, she said, "I definitely think that my body has changed many peoples' lives. I've used my body as a tool to talk about taboo subjects, such as cellulite or being insecure about lower belly fat—and also [how to] talk life into your body and have an affirmation kind of conversation with yourself. And I know the lives that have been changed: young girls and even women my age who have written me and said, 'I never loved the skin that I was in until I heard your journey'."
The model gave a TED Talk advocating for self-acceptance with regards to body images. To achieve that, she said that she looks into a full-length mirror and has friendly chats with her body parts. Ashley Graham is married to cinematographer Justin Ervin, with whom she shares three sons – Isaac, two, and twins Roman and Malachi, who are eight months old.