Ashley Graham’s Ex Dumped Her Because He Was Afraid She’d Be as Fat as His Mom

There’s a reason why people say you never forget your first relationship. For Ashley Graham, that reason unfortunately happens to be disgusting fat-shamey comments. In a recent interview with New York magazine, the 29-year-old opened up about her first relationship and how her ex-boyfriend’s remarks spurred her journey as a body activist.

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In the interview, the supermodel recalled the time her first-ever boyfriend broke up with her in high school because he was afraid that someday she would become as fat as his mom. Graham noted the moment as the first time she was ever “hyperaware” of her size.

“That really made me hyperaware that I am a big girl, and that’s how people see me,” she said.

After the breakup, Graham revealed that she entered in an abusive relationship with a man for many years. She admitted she excused his behavior because he was the first man who seemed to appreciate her curves.

Source: Instagram

Along with relationship partners, Graham also opened up about getting discriminated for her weight as a model. Though the model (who prefers the term “curvy” over “plus-size”) earned praise for her 2017 Met Gala look (especially from Rihanna who Graham said she looked “hot”), Graham chose not to attend the gala the year before because no designer would dress her.

The model faced a similar experience on her January of British Vogue. Though Coach eventually agreed to dress her, the model and Vogue U.K. editor-in-chief Alexandra Shulman admitted that many fashion houses “flatly refused” to lend their clothes.

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Source: Instagram

However, since her profile as skyrocketed, Graham has had a better time earning respect from the fashion industry. These days, she said she borrows most things for A-list events, with the designers fully aware that her team add slits, tear off sleeves, or making any other major adjustments to make sure the outfit is flattering to her body. It’s a small milestone that Graham hopes will make it easier for future models of her similar body type to break into the fashion industry.

“This is the thing: I know I’m paving the way for the next generation of girls, and they’re not going to have to do this,” she said. “That’s what I hope. I’ll take the brunt work and just handle it, and then you guys can just sail right on through.”