'If I was in a movie, I'd have a sex scene, or have to show nipple': Ashley Graham hits out at the constant 'sexualization' of curvy women in fashion and entertainment 

  • The size 16 model points out the unfairness that curvy women are typecast as 'sexy' - so if she were in a film, she'd likely have to do a sex scene
  • She said curvy women are considered either 'too fat' and ugly, or overtly-sexy like Marilyn Monroe or Jennifer Lopez
  • The 27-year-old also discussed her excitement after Khloe Kardashian tweeted about her during fashion week

By Carly Stern For Dailymail.com

Published: 10:35 EST, 15 October 2015 | Updated: 12:27 EST, 15 October 2015

Ashley Graham has built a very successful career, thanks in large part to her voluptuous figure and natural sex appeal. But now, the plus-size model is hitting out at the fashion and entertainment industries for automatically sexualizing curvier women. 

Ashley, 27, spoke to Details magazine about the way girls with bodies like hers are typecast and pigeonholed into 'sexy' roles, creating a much narrower path for a curvy model or actress who wants to find success.

'If you get an even curvier body, like mine, we're automatically sexualized,' she said. 'If I was cast in a role in a movie, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I would be the sexy girl, I would have a sex scene, I would probably have to show a little nipple. That would just be the case, because of the way my body is.'

Feeling typecast: Ashley Graham 27, said that curvy girls like her are always viewed as sexy in the fashion and entertainment industries, which can be limiting

Feeling typecast: Ashley Graham 27, said that curvy girls like her are always viewed as sexy in the fashion and entertainment industries, which can be limiting

Someone to look up to: The size 16 model said that growing up, her role models were 'supposed to be' Marilyn Monroe and Jennifer Lopez

Someone to look up to: The size 16 model said that growing up, her role models were 'supposed to be' Marilyn Monroe and Jennifer Lopez

To some people, automatically being perceived as 'sexy' doesn't sound so bad. But when others won't allow you to be anything else - smart, funny, compassionate, demure – Ashley insists it’s incredibly frustrating. 

'It’s because we’ve just been in one category,' the size 16 stunner explained. 'You’re either too fat and not pretty enough or your just uber-duber sexy like the Marilyn Monroes or Jennifer Lopezes of the world. 

'They were supposed to be my role models, just because they were two of the most notable curvy women in society. But at the end of the day, they weren’t that curvy. They were just curvy for society. Nobody sat down and had a fat roll hang over their stomach. That was the struggle - I never had anybody to truly look up to. That’s why I said, "I’m going to be that person."'

Not fair: In society, she said, curvy girls can be like Marilyn and J.Lo - or 'too fat' and 'not pretty'

Not fair: In society, she said, curvy girls can be like Marilyn and J.Lo - or 'too fat' and 'not pretty'

Baring it all: Ashley speculates that if she were ever given a role in a movie, it would involve a sex scene and showing her nipples

Baring it all: Ashley speculates that if she were ever given a role in a movie, it would involve a sex scene and showing her nipples

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Ashley Graham has been somewhat of a pioneer for plus size fashion models, designing her own line of lingerie and speaking up on issues concerning curvy women.

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Which is why, perhaps, Ashley has chosen to embrace the 'sexy' role she's been put into - at least while she tries to break down the barriers preventing her from trying something else.

And she has certainly been making it work to her advantage. The Nebraska native has posed in several steamy shoots, including an infamous 2010 TV spot for Lane Bryant that was, ironically, pulled by ABC for being 'too sexy'. The incident definitely sent mixed messages, as typically women in lingerie ads are expected to have ample assets.

'Curvy bodies have always been the sexier bodies in fashion,' Ashley said. 'Any model who is strictly a lingerie model, she has fuller breasts and fuller hips. Girls who are much thinner, who might be a size zero with no T&A, are not the Victoria's Secret model. And it just goes to show that a curvier body is considered sexier.' 

The big time: Ashley also talked about her New York Fashion week show for her lingerie line for Addition Elle

The big time: Ashley also talked about her New York Fashion week show for her lingerie line for Addition Elle

Starstruck: She was very happy about how well it was received - and especially excited that Khloe Kardashian tweeted about her

Starstruck: She was very happy about how well it was received - and especially excited that Khloe Kardashian tweeted about her

No one, though, is taking issue with Ashley's campaign images for her own lingerie brand for Addition Elle.

In fact, her debut runway show at New York Fashion Week this September made waves in the media - including Daily Mail Online, which saw the action firsthand - for spotlighting full figures.

Ashley said she was thrilled with the positive reception, noting that even Khloe Kardashian tweeted a picture of her after the show - which, Ashley added, was especially exciting, since she 'loves [Khloe] so much' because she 'keeps it real'. 

Not cool: In 2010, Ashley's TV ad for Lane Bryant (pictured) was banned by ABC for being too racy

Not cool: In 2010, Ashley's TV ad for Lane Bryant (pictured) was banned by ABC for being too racy

Advocate: The star often speaks out about the unfair treatment of and double standards working against plus-size and curvy women
Advocate: The star often speaks out about the unfair treatment of and double standards working against plus-size and curvy women

Advocate: The star often speaks out about the unfair treatment of and double standards working against plus-size and curvy women

Taking control: Ashley waited to have sex with her husband (left) until she was married because she felt like she was giving up 'power through her vagina' while dating her previous boyfriend

Taking control: Ashley waited to have sex with her husband (left) until she was married because she felt like she was giving up 'power through her vagina' while dating her previous boyfriend

Also in the interview, Ashley opened up about how she didn't have sex with her now-husband until they were married.

She and cinematographer Justin Ervin tied the knot when she was 22, but she spent their year-long relationship before walking down the aisle - as well as a year before that, when she was single - abstaining from sex.

The happily married model explained that she decided to wait after coming to the realization that while dating her previous boyfriend, whom she described as 'terrible', she was 'giving up my power through my vagina'. Going forward, she wanted to reclaim that power, putting off sex until she said 'I do'.

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