Ashley Graham is opening up to fans about her process of accepting an invitation to the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
“To be honest, when @victoriassecret first contacted me, I was hesitant,” the supermodel wrote on Instagram on October 16.
“For years, the brand didn’t feel like it was designed for people like me. Their vision of beauty seemed narrow, as if everything they created was only suitable for one type of body — and it wasn’t mine.”
She continued, “But after sitting down with the leadership at VS, I saw real change. They were excited for me to join the show and assured me that this wasn’t just a one-time thing. The Curve Model was more than just a one-time thing. A symbol – VS sincerely wants to be a part of the body diversity revolution.
“They share a commitment to embracing body diversity in lasting, meaningful ways.
“So I said yes. I said yes to represent all of us and show up for everyone who’s been overlooked. It’s a journey I’m proud to have walked.”
Body image advocate Jameela Jamil comments: ‘You are the moment’
Fellow VS Angel Gigi Hadid writes: ‘You take my breath away ash xxx’
Jasmine Tookes, Lais Ribeiro, Heidi Klum, Winnie Harlow and Leonie Hanne also congratulated Graham on her VSFS debut and celebrated her message.
In a promotional video released ahead of the show, Graham shared her excitement for this career milestone. “The first VS show, I was so excited because I’m in my thirties, I’d just had three kids, I felt so curvy, so sexy, and my clothes were hot,” she said.
The celebrity stars alongside curvy models Paloma Elsesser, Jill Kortleve and Devyn Garcia.
The show is one of Victoria’s Secret’s most diverse shows to date and is also notable for its inclusion of transgender models Valentina Sampaio and Alex Consani. VSFS veterans also answered the call, with the likes of Tyra Banks, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Adriana Lima, Taylor Hill and Jasmine Tookes taking to the runway.
Jasmine Tookes, Paloma Elsesser, Barbara Palvin and Ashley Graham pose backstage at the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
(Image source: Getty Images)
