Ashley Graham Is Officially A Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model

By Cat Williams. Published: 9 Feb 2016 1:22 PM

Ashley Graham first broke the record when she appeared in the first-ever plus-size ad to run in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in 2015. Now, in 2016, she continues to make history, being named the second plus-size model to officially pose for the magazine, after Robyn Lawley who modelled last year.

Graham is being named the second member of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2016 Rookie Class, after Victoria’s Secret model Barbara Palvin, who was announced yesterday.

She joins a long list of beautiful SI rookies, including Emily Ratajkowski, Sara Sampaio, Lily Aldridge and Gigi Hadid – all of whom went on to equally bigger and better things.

There will be more rookies revealed between now and this Friday, before the new Sports Illustrated issue is released next week.

It’s official – I’m a @si_swimsuit model!! This is a dream come true. Thank you to everyone who stood up for curves- our voices were heard and together we can help me win Rookie of the Year. Stay tuned for voting instructions #beautybeyondsize #siswim

A photo posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Feb 9, 2016 at 7:33am PST

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This is an especially exciting feat for Graham, who has been championing beauty of all shapes and sizes throughout her career. Graham has become known for her work as a voluptuous lingerie model with Lane Bryant and also as a fashion designer for lingerie with Addition Elle.