Sports Illustrated model Ashley Graham slams Cheryl Tiegs controversial comments about her size 14 figure after taking to the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week

Ashley Graham has hit back at Cheryl Tiegs' controversial comments about her size 14 figure after talking to the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week. 

The 28-year-old, who made history by becoming the first fuller-figured woman to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, said she has skin too 'thick' to be bothered about spiteful jibes concerning her weight. 

Tiegs, 68, provoked outrage when she criticised the iconic publication for choosing Graham for one of the three covers of its 2016 Swimsuit Issue, claiming it was showcasing a body type that isn't healthy. 

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Ashley Graham has hit back at Cheryl Tiegs' controversial comments about her size 14 figure after talking to the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week

Tiegs, 68, provoked outrage when she criticised the iconic publication for choosing Graham for one of the three covers of its 2016 Swimsuit Issue, claiming it was showcasing a body type that isn't healthy 

After walking in the H&M Studio autumn/winter 2016 presentation, Graham told E! News: 'Cheryl Tiegs may have said what she said and it may have hurt a lot of peoples feelings but my skin is so thick.  

'I kind of rolled my eyes. I was like, "Oh whatever, another one of these ladies". But what's great is that — the fact that she said it — it means that other women think like her. And what that means is that we really need to change the industry.'

She continued: 'There are too many people thinking they can look at a girl my size and say that we are unhealthy. You can't, only my doctor can!'

Graham took to the runway for the Swedish brand on March 2 alongside a diverse line-up of stars including transgender models Andreja Pejic and Hari Nef, Anja Rubik, Soo Jo Park, Jourdan Dunn, Anna Cleveland and her 65-year-old mother and the original 70's super, Pat Cleveland.

The 28-year-old, who made history by becoming the first fuller-figured woman to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, said she has skin too 'thick' to be bothered about spiteful jibes concerning her weight

After walking in the H&M Studio autumn/winter 2016 presentation, Graham told E! News: 'Cheryl Tiegs may have said what she said and it may have hurt a lot of peoples feelings but my skin is so thick

Graham took to the runway for the Swedish brand on March 2 alongside a diverse line-up of stars including transgender models Andreja Pejic and Hari Nef, Anja Rubik, Soo Jo Park and Jourdan Dunn

She flaunted her famous curves in a black shirt dressing complete with a plunging neckline, a bright red snakeskin waist belt, knee-high animal print boots and a large black hat. 

Tiegs hit the headlines after telling E! News at the Global Green USA's 13th annual pre-Oscar party that she thought Sports Illustrated was promoting figures that are unhealthy by featuring Graham.

'I don't like that we are talking about full-figured women because it's glamorizing them, and your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches] she said. 'That is what Dr. Oz said and I am sticking to it.

'No, I don't think it's healthy,' she continued. 'Her face is beautiful, but I don't think it is healthy in the long run.'

According to Ford Models, Graham's waist is a healthy 29.5 inches around, prompting many people to take to social media to slam Tiegs' ignorant' comments.

Tiegs, who posed for numerous swimsuit editorials in her heyday, took to Twitter on Thursday to try and clarify her statement on body weight, writing: 'Being anorexic/bulimic/overweight all connected to health problems. I want all to be as healthy as they can. [sic]'

However, after many took offence to Tiegs saying Graham's curvaceous figure is as unhealthy as an eating disorder, she deleted the post and offered up a new apology.

'My sincere apologies to everyone I have hurt. I truly just want everyone to be healthy & happy, [sic]' she tweeted. 

Ashley flaunted her famous curves in a black shirt dressing complete with a plunging neckline, a bright red snakeskin waist belt, knee-high animal print boots and a large black hat

Cheryl, who is pictured in Los Angeles earlier this week, has always had a slim physique and seemed more than happy to show it off in a lacy black top

Cheryl first tried to 'clarify' her statement on Twitter by explaining that she thinks being too thin is just as unhealthy as being 'overweight' before deleting the tweet

After deleting her first tweet, Cheryl returned to Twitter to say that she is sorry and just wants 'everyone to be healthy and happy'

Cheryl, who is pictured on the cover of Saga magazine in 1978, said she didn't like that people are talking about 'full-figured' women because it is 'glamorizing' them

While the internet was outraged by Tiegs' words, Graham admitted that she too was a bit stunned by the former model's assumptions about her.

'You know It is so interesting because Cheryl has been an inspiration because she is a Sports Illustrated girl for so long, and I think what it is doing is proving that beauty does come in all shapes and all sizes, and I applaud Sports Illustrated,' she told Access Hollywood at Sunday night's Vanity Fair Oscar party. 

When asked if she was angered by Tiegs' words, Graham carefully stated that she thought it was an 'interesting comment'.

'I was a little speechless when I heard it,' she admitted. 'But you know Cheryl's beautiful, and I wish her the best.'

Graham also confirmed that Tiegs has not reached out to her, and she has no plans on contacting her.

'I don't feel that I need to reach out to her,' she said, but noted she would be willing to speak with the fellow Sports Illustrated star. 

'If Cheryl wants to have a conversation with me then why not?' she said. 'I am sure we would both have a lot to say.' 

Hailey Clauson and Ashley Graham show off their Sports Illustrated covers at the magazine launch 

Many people took to social medial to slam Cheryl for her comments about Ashley, and after her apology, Erik Roithmayr suggested that she needed to reach out to Ashley to say she's sorry

Alpana Sing reprimanded Cheryl for 'body shaming' Ashley when she could have bee a 'positive force'

Jackie Butara took to Twitter to share her open letter to Cheryl explaining that size has nothing to do with health

Speaking the truth: Ashley, who looked stunning at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, admitted that she was left 'speechless' by Cheryl's comments about her cover 

And many believe that Tiegs should be the one to reach out. Twitter user Erik Roithmayr responded to her apology by noting that she should be reaching out to Graham.

'That's nice @CherylTiegs, but I think you owe a direct apology to @theashleygraham for what you said,' he wrote. 

Alpana Singh added: '@CherylTiegs clearly you have no idea of the stigma & negative effects of body shaming. You failed at a moment to be a positive force.'

And Jacki Butaro wrote an open letter to Tiegs explaining that she is a size six and weighs 137lbs but is far healthier than her mother, who is 4'11 and 90lbs.

'I workout and eat right. She doesn't do either of those, yet her waist is smaller than mine,' she said. 

Fellow model Kate Upton shared this photo Ashley, which she captioned: 'Let's empower and support one another! #beautybeyondsize #beautyfadesuseyourbrain cheryltiegs'

Hunger Games actor Jeffrey Wright shared a photo of Ashley's Sports Illustrated cover, saying her figure his 'very definition of 'healthy'

Cheryl later retweeted this message from Rusti McCollum, which states that she 'looks great' and 'Ashley is not fat'

Meanwhile, other celebrities have come to Graham's defence, including fellow model Kate Upton.

'Let's empower and support one another! #beautybeyondsize #beautyfadesuseyourbrain cheryltiegs,' she captioned an Instagram photo of Graham.

The image, which features a quote from Graham, reads: 'I know my curves are sexy, and I want everyone else to know theirs are too.

And Hunger Games actor Jeffrey Wright shared a photo of Graham's Sports Illustrated cover, writing: 'So yeah, hey, Cheryl Tiegs, 'round my way, this is the very definition of 'healthy.' #GotThatDictionaryForYa [sic].'

Meanwhile, Tiegs retweeted Twitter user Rusti McCollom's comment that complimented both her and Graham.

'Guess that's between them.' Rusti wrote of Cheryl's words. 'Ashley is not fat and Cheryl looks great.' 

Fit and fabulous: Ashley often shares Instagram photos and videos of herself working out with her trainer