Ashley Graham hits back at body shamers who criticize her for being 'too fat'

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The 28-year-old penned a powerful essay about body shaming for Lena Dunham's newsletter, Lenny Letter, on Tuesday
A few weeks ago, Ashley was forced to defend herself after she shared a photo in which she appeared to have lost weight
The size 14 model said she's been told that she looks 'too fat' and 'too thin'
Ashley insisted that she hasn't lost a pound this year, noting that she is actually heavier than she was three years

Published: 16:38 EST, 2 August 2016 | Updated: 02:00 EST, 3 August 2016

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Ashley Graham is urging women to stop shaming each other once and for all as she insists that she is 'more than her measurements' after being criticized for being 'too fat' and 'too thin'.

The 28-year-old model from Lincoln, Nebraska, penned a powerful essay about body shaming for Lena Dunham's newsletter, Lenny Letter, on Tuesday — just a few weeks after she was forced to defend herself after she shared a photo in which she appeared to have lost weight.

'To some I'm too curvy. To others I'm too tall, too busty, too loud, and, now, too small — too much, but at the same time not enough,' the size 14 star wrote.

Fighting back: Ashley Graham has penned a powerful essay about body shaming after she was criticized for looking 'too thin' in this recent Instagram photo

Using her platform: The 28-year-old model revealed that she hasn't lost one pound this year, noting that she is actually bigger than she was three years ago

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'When I post a photo from a "good angle", I receive criticism for looking smaller and selling out,' she added. 'When I post photos showing my cellulite, stretch marks, and rolls, I'm accused of promoting obesity. The cycle of body-shaming needs to end. I'm over it.'

Ashley, who coined the empowering hashtag #BeautyBeyondSize, said that like most people, she goes through a 'tough selfie-editing process' before she picks the 'perfect photo' to share with her 2.2 million followers on Instagram.

The model noted that most people wouldn't put up 'a picture that made them feel less than beautiful', and after 16 years in the modeling industry she knows what angles maker her look best.

And while she is often told that she should never read the comments left on her posts, she explained that she has to because her followers are the first people she will look to for feedback on her many projects, including her clothing lines and speeches.

Ashley explained that when on set filming America's Next Top Model, where she will serve as a judge, her hairstylist snapped a picture of her wearing a figure-hugging crop top and matching skirt topped with an 'amazing Balmain leather jacket'.

Strike a pose: The size 14 star said that after 16 years in the modeling industry, she knows her angles

Just stop" Ashley noted criticizing her for working out is also a form of body shaming

The brunette beauty said she thought she looked 'damn good' and didn't give it a second though she posted it.

'But soon the image went viral,' she recalled. Not because of how good I looked wearing a high-end designer that doesn't usually market to women my size, but because of people's misguided views on women's bodies and who owns the rights to them.'

Fans told Ashley that they were 'disappointed' in her, and some accused her of losing weight to 'conform to Hollywood'.

Ashley said that based on the comments, it appeared that some people were upset with her because she looked 'slimmer'.

'Knowing my angles is one thing, but I must be a magician to make people think I went from a size 14 to a size 6 in a week!' she noted. 'The reality is I haven't lost a pound this year. In fact, I'm actually heavier than I was three years ago, but I accept my body as it is today.'

Harsh words: Ashley said that critics have accused her of losing weight and 'conforming to Hollywood'

Loving life: Ashley insisted that she never restricts herself when it come to eating certain foods

Just living her life; 'When I post photos showing my cellulite, stretch marks, and rolls, I'm accused of promoting obesity,' Ashley said of the constant criticism she faces

Ashley said that works out to maintain good health, and while she likes to 'sweat it out at the gym' she doesn't restrict herself when it comes to eating certain foods, including macaroni and cheese.

The model pointed out that women continue to tear one another down over their physical appearances, however, she noted that body shaming 'isn't just telling the big girl to cover up'.

Ashley said that criticizing her for working out and giving the word 'skinny' a negative connotation are all forms of body shaming.

'What type of example are we setting for young girls and their self-esteem if grown adults are on Instagram calling other women "cowards" for losing weight, or "ugly" for being overweight?' she asked.

How about this for a change? Ashley said women should encourage a woman who is taking a selfie instead of giving her 'the side eye' for seeming too into herself

Calling for change: Ashley urged other women to stop tearing one another down over their physical appearances

As a woman with curves, Ashley said that she has been labeled plus-size by both the modeling industry and society, but she insisted that she is 'here for all women who don't feel comfortable in their skin'.

'I am more than my measurements. I'm not Ashley Graham just because I'm curvy,' she said.

After 16 years of having her body 'picked apart' and 'manipulated', Ashley said her success as a model as given her a platform to make a difference.

Ashley encouraged readers that the next time they see another woman taking a selfie, they should encourage her for feeling beautiful instead of giving her 'the side eye' for seeming too into herself.

'Let's worry about our own bodies,' she added. 'My body is my body. I'll call the shots.'