Current index status
#28 in the live index.
The rating reflects current verified work and prestige weighting. It is an editorial assessment, not a judgement of personal worth.
Index Rating · High confidence · evidence reviewed
85.0
- Runway · 40%
- 76
- Campaigns · 30%
- 88
- Editorial · 20%
- 92
- Cultural aura · 10%
- 98
01 / Why they matter
What Ashley is known for.
A leading advocate for size inclusivity in the industry.
02 / Career record
Early life
Ashley Graham was born on 30 October 1987 and raised partly in Lincoln, Nebraska, the eldest of three sisters; she was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in youth. She was scouted at age 12 at Oak View Mall in Omaha by the local I & I modelling agency, and signed with Wilhelmina Models in 2001 before moving to Ford Models in 2003.
03 / Career record
Building a body-positive platform, 2007–2015
Graham was profiled by Vogue in April 2007 and featured in a 2009 Glamour editorial titled "These Bodies Are Beautiful at Every Size." A 2010 Lane Bryant television commercial, notable for being banned by some networks, brought her wider attention, including an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that May. She designed a lingerie line for Addition Elle in 2013 and was named Full Figured Fashion Week’s Model of the Year in 2012, before fronting the swimsuitsforall/Sports Illustrated Swimsuit advertising campaign in 2015.
04 / Career record
Historic covers and a memoir, 2016–2019
In 2016, Graham became the first size-16 model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and joined VH1’s America’s Next Top Model as a judge. In 2017, she became the first plus-size model to appear on the cover of American Vogue and published her memoir, "A New Model," the same year hosting "The Ashley Graham Project" on Go90. She hosted American Beauty Star’s second season in 2019.
05 / Career record
Recent record, 2023–2025
Graham hosted a Countdown to the Oscars red-carpet special in 2023 and appeared on Maxim’s Hot 100 list that year. In 2025 she made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, running from 15 April to 25 May, and launched a clothing line with JCPenney that October. She is represented by IMG Models.
06 / At a glance
Quick facts.
- —Born 30 October 1987; scouted at age 12 at a shopping mall in Omaha, Nebraska
- —The first size-16 model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, in 2016
- —The first plus-size model to appear on the cover of American Vogue, in 2017
- —Published a memoir, "A New Model," in 2017
- —Represented by IMG Models after earlier stints with Wilhelmina and Ford Models
- —Made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, running 15 April–25 May 2025
07 / Current index evidence
Why is Ashley Graham ranked #28?
- Walked Nina Ricci FW26 in Paris in March 2026.
- Marie Claire U.S. cover and American Vogue editorial in May 2026.
- Victoria’s Secret, Nina Ricci, Boss and Grace Ling runway credits plus a Stuart Weitzman campaign in 2025.
Confidence: High confidence · evidence reviewed. Scores may change when a source is corrected or new work enters the current window.
Facts on this page are drawn from public work records and industry press, and summarised in our own words. This is an independent editorial profile — it is not endorsed by the subject, their agencies, or the brands named. Last reviewed 2026-07-14. Corrections: desk@thecastindex.com.