Ashley Graham, 37, Shows Off Her Real Curvy Body During Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – Photos
With her curves, confidence, and no-nonsense sass, plus-size supermodel Ashley Graham dominates the Victoria’s Secret runway, igniting tremendous applause and an online frenzy.
On October 15, Ashley Graham, 37, made a spectacular comeback to the Victoria’s Secret runway during the 2025 Fashion Show at Steiner Studios in New York.
Backstage photos show Graham getting ready for one of her career’s most talked-about moments. With her glam squad by her side and her characteristic fuzzy socks on, Graham prepared for what fans would soon refer to as the most relatable runway walk in years. Furthermore, she wasn’t there to be cautious.
“There’s Going to Be Some Cellulite”: Graham Addresses Representation Head-on
Graham was open and honest with reporters before she walked the catwalk about what the occasion meant to her and most American women.
“The stat is that 67% of American women are the size of [sic] 14,” she said. “So I am so proud to be representing that 67% out there.” And when it came to the reality of what it meant on stage, she didn’t hold back.
It’s going to be bouncing. There will be movement. A little cellulite will appear here and there, and guess what? It belongs to me. And for everyone who’s watching, I’m owning it,” she declared with assurance.
Her Raw Runway Prep: Snacks, Spray, and Fuzzy Socks
Graham also revealed what it takes to walk a runway, not the glitzy sort, but the authentic kind.
“I put on my fuzzy socks, okay?” She laughed as she spoke. “As a shoe pro tip, I have lidocaine for when I have to put on the heels. It’s what you spray on your shoes or the soles of your feet. And an abundance of munchies.
That’s precisely what the backstage pictures showed: Graham looking stunning, getting ready with her crew, and exuding confidence and energy as she got ready for the evening.
The overweight supermodel did more than simply walk. She walked with pride, strength, and purpose, taking control of the moment. Graham, who wore her curves like armor, was the night’s undisputed star, not because she was unique but because she was unquestionably herself.
The crowd could hardly contain its roar when Graham, wearing a striking black lingerie set and spectacular feather wings, marched with such confidence and purpose.
Once renowned for its thigh gaps and airbrushed abs, the brand introduced the world to a woman with confidence, cellulite, and stretch marks.
Online Reactions to “She’s Gorgeous and Has a Real Body!”
Social media users who watched the livestream and highlights quickly made their opinions known. “She’s gorgeous and has a real body!” remarked one Instagram user. “Very curvy, gorgeous, and attractive woman 😍,” another person added.
The compliments didn’t end there. “Her appearance is stunning, and her physique is lovely and organic, with a bit extra meat on the bones! A fan said, “Very proportionate, she represents most women 😍.”
Others emphasized her presence on such a prominent stage and her relatability. One Instagram fan commented, “I see stretchmarks…. and it’s soooo beautiful 😍,”
The sentiment was mirrored by several Facebook viewers. “Ashley is stunning. One remark said, “I wish I had her body; she looks so healthy.” “About time there is a [full-figured] model in the spotlight!” stated another. According to one admirer, “She’s gorgeous.”
Graham’s styling was praised as well. “I adore the outfit she’s sporting. Someone said, “Something that most women would actually wear.”
The following day, Graham celebrated the occasion by posting backstage video to Instagram with the remark, “THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!” I appreciate being hosted by @victoriassecret 🪽💕. Being able to represent the fat girls on your runway means a lot to me.
“Hey, I Just Had Three Kids”: The Moment Graham Battled for the Correct Fit
Experience gave her the courage to ask for what she needed, which led to her runway moment this year. She had learnt a lot the year before, after all.
Regarding her 2024 debut, Graham revealed in a People interview that her Victoria’s Secret ensemble nearly didn’t work out.
“The first thing they gave me was this tiny, tiny little underwear, and I said, ‘Hello, I just had three children,'” she recounted. “Even though it was like two years ago, but I was like, ‘Is there any more we can put on?'”
She requested and was given a bodysuit, which she said was empowering and attractive. But she didn’t realize the moment had arrived until the wings were attached. “Oh yeah, I feel like an Angel,” she told herself. This is so hot.
At Home: Motherhood’s Beautiful Chaos, Dinosaurs, and Dirt
Graham shares three sons with her husband, filmmaker Justin Ervin: Isaac, Roman, and Malachi. These are the children behind the glamour. She described her life off the runway in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2023.
“Isaac, Malachi, and Roman are like my little dinosaurs,” she said. They constantly want to read a book, play with tools outside, or be wrestled. The companionship that comes from running about as a large family is enjoyable.
She obviously loves this environment, which is very different from the flashing lights of New York fashion.
“This Body’s Been Around for Centuries”: The Unwavering Voice of Graham
For years, Graham has been knocking down obstacles. She walked for Michael Kors, was the first plus-size model to be featured on the cover of American Vogue, and was the first to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue. She gave Glamour a memorable comment in 2018 that perfectly captured her position in the industry.
“You will always have to provide the difficult answers when you are the first of something. You won’t be liked by anyone,” she warned. “You will be hated by people. You’re the new kid in town, so people will be perplexed by you.”
The statement that encapsulated her legacy then appeared: “But if you ask me, I’m not the new kid in town — this body’s been around for centuries and now I’ve just been given a voice.”
Her appearance was more than just a stroll; it was a declaration, a mirror held up to a reality-starved audience.
