Despite being a literal goddess, Ashley Graham is no stranger to dealing with online trolls and body shamers. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, the 30-year-old model discussed the initial resistance she encountered over her body type when she first attempted to break into the industry. She later revealed that, even after being bullied throughout her childhood, the absurd comments she would later receive from agents and stylists about her size as a model were much worse.
"I had people on set, like photographers, stylists and even my own agents telling me that I was getting too big," Graham said. "Or they'd make snide comments like 'time to put the Snickers down.' And that is really what stuck with me and was super hurtful."
She also pointed out that, after a year of modeling professionally, she gained close to 30 pounds, something that ended up having a negative effect on her overall confidence. The model claims that it was then that she wanted to give up, though there's one thing — or, rather, one person — the model credits for helping her get through such a rough time.
"The only person that helped me get out of that rut was my mom," she said. "She told me that I was good enough. She told me that I had to stay, that I had to figure it out. And I'm really glad she did, because a little bit of tough love is what got me through."
In addition to heeding advice from her mom, Graham also makes a point to give herself daily affirmations in the mirror, something we could all probably benefit from, tbh.
"I think our words have power, and if you're constantly telling yourself that you're not good enough and you're doubting your exterior on a daily basis, then that's what your life going to turn out to be," she said. "Using affirmations changed my outlook on life."
Leave it to Ashley Graham to drop some amazing, life-changing gems.
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