Ashley Graham Is The First Plus-Size Model to Ever Grace Sports Illustrated Cover

Graham has appeared in Sports Illustrated once before in a swimsuit ad for SwimsuitsForAll, a company that specializes in plus-size swimwear.

For many models, landing the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is a hallmark of their careers. However, Ashley Graham's cover is groundbreaking for the industry itself.


Graham is the first plus-size model to grace the cover of the magazine. She is one of three cover models for the 2016 special issue, all of whom were revealed on Instagram on Sunday.

Graham wrote on her own Instagram post,

"This cover is for every woman who felt like she wasn't beautiful enough because of her size. You can do and achieve anything you put your mind to."

UFC star Ronda Rousey and model Hailey Clauson are also featured on the magazine's alternate covers.

In recent years, the magazine has shown a progressive movement toward body diversity.
While Graham is the first plus-size model to make the cover, the magazine also featured model Robyn Lawley in an editorial spread last year.

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