Model Ashley Graham has responded to former model Cheryl Tiegs’ comments about her body size.
The 68-year-old modeling icon was asked last week what she thought about Graham, size 16, being selected as a cover girl for Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue:
I don’t like that we’re talking about full-figured women because it’s glamorizing them because your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches]. That’s what Dr. Oz said, and I’m sticking to it. No, I don’t think it’s healthy. Her face is beautiful. Beautiful. But I don’t think it’s healthy in the long run.
Tiegs received quite a bit of backlash for her stance; and, at first, she followed up with an attempt via Twitter to explain her position. “To clarify re bodyweight. Being anorexic/bulimic/overweight all connected to health problems. I want all to be as healthy as they can, ” she wrote.
Tiegs, who made multiple SI Swimsuit covers back in the day, followed later with an apology:
My sincere apologies to everyone I have hurt. I truly just want everyone to be healthy & happy.
— Cheryl Tiegs (@CherylTiegs) February 26, 2016
On Wednesday, during Graham’s appearance at the H&M Studios Autumn/Winter 2016 show for Paris Fashion Week, the 28-year-old made the following remarks about the controversy to E! News:
Cheryl Tiegs may have said what she said, and it may have hurt a lot of people’s feelings but my skin is so thick… I kind of rolled my eyes, I was like, ‘Oh whatever, another one of these ladies.’ But what’s great is that – the fact that she said it – it means that other women think like her. And what that means is that we really need to change the industry.
Graham was indifferent as far as the apology goes. “I’ve never personally heard from her. She said her comment about me, then never heard a follow up. People are saying she apologized. But I never heard one,” she said. 
Graham also said she’d take the high road if the two should meet. “You never know, and I will go up to her and say hello, and all the SI girls, I’ve always looked up to them. They are classic, amazing, beautiful women and it’s a shame that we have to bring other people down, but that’s why I’m here. I’ve got to bring other women up.”
Graham added, “There are too many people thinking they can look at a girl my size and say that we are unhealthy. You can’t, only my doctor can!”
