Model Ashley Graham has been an outspoken advocate for body positivity. She encourages women to love themselves, embrace their flaws and shun airbrushing. In a Sports Illustrated swimsuit shoot, she left the photos unedited, to showcase her natural body. To quote Pulitzer prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, "I'm so f*ckin' sick and tired of the Photoshop...show me somethin' natural like ass with some stretch marks." Or cellulite!
On Instagram, Ashley has been open about her body and her fitness routine. In June, she documented running her first 5K, writing in the caption, "Can't stop, won't stop!" But with over 7 million followers, you're always going to attract some haters.
Last month, a troll mocked Ashley's curvy physique in a bikini video, saying she looked pregnant. "Looking good...baby bump!" commented the user, who surely has a perfect, flawless figure in real life. Anyway, Ashley wrote the perfect response: "That's just called fat."
Yesterday the inspiring model posted behind-the-scenes pics from a Christian Dior photoshoot. Rocking a Dior bra and underwear, Ashley posed for the camera, making a goofy face. Bodies come in all shapes in sizes, and her followers appreciated the message.
glamatti_1513 wrote, "You are so stunning!" kristengarrett88 wrote, "You are amazing!! Thank you for being real! You inspire confidence in uniqueness in so many!!" And lawyer__chick wrote, "Thank you for allowing me to embrace me. Beautiful as always."
However, Instagram user s0cialmediavsreality posted a snide comment, writing, "We thought you work out." The assumption is that since Ashley Graham has a curvy figure, she must not exercise at all, which is pretty ignorant. Also, the IG account behind the comment is dedicated to showing "that celebrities are regular people just like us," which is extremely ironic. A more honest username would be b0dyshamingtrashperson.
Anyway, much like Frodo Baggins in the Mines of Moria, Ashley decided to engage with the disgusting cave-troll. But rather than stab it in the foot with Sting, a magical Elvish dagger presumably forged in Gondolin during the First Age, Ashely clapped back with a comment: "Girls with cellulite and rolls can't work out also?"
Instagram users applauded Ashley's response. debbielee102 wrote, "Yes! I still work out 4 times a week with a trainer. Still have rolls and cellulite." sonnyturner__ wrote, "Yes! Fit is not a size and skinny isn't the only healthy." And deyellie_ wrote, "Things is, if every single person worked out and ate well balanced and nutritious foods, there would STILL be different body types."
It is unclear why trolls spend so much time body-shaming others on social media, since they just end up getting humiliated by the clap-back. Probably because scrutinizing strangers' photos is an effective distraction from looking in the mirror and recognizing their own flaws. Anyway, no need to FedEx Sting to Ashley Graham, Frodo Baggins. Her words are her weapons.
