Ashley Graham has worked in the fashion industry since 2009. At that time, there were not a lot of plus-size models. But in overcoming stereotypes in modeling, Ashley went from a struggling model to one who amassed a great fortune, all while becoming a body positivity advocate at the same time.

Given her outspoken nature of inclusivity in fashion regardless of size, fans of the Knix collaborator have been curious as to why Graham has had such a weight fluctuation over the past several years. During this time, fans believe that Graham has been losing weight. Because of this, the model who was once fat-shamed for being too large to model or wear certain styles has faced a barrage of nasty comments for losing weight. And in the process, many wondered if Graham was still even an advocate for the plus-size community.

Ashley Graham No Longer Wants To Be Known As "Plus-Size"

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via Fearless with Ashley Graham

Given that Graham has had to discuss what it is like to be a plus-size woman in an industry that celebrates the ultra-thin for her entire career, it is understandable that she would have hoped there would have been more change over the past 15 or more years.

As such, while Graham is still labeled a plus-size model, she would like to be known as something more simple at this stage in the game.

"I hate that I constantly have to discuss my body," the Revlon spokesmodel stated. It is a double standard that Graham points out that men do not have to do. Nor are they labeled as anything other than a man or a model.

Because of this, the mother-of-two would simply like to be known as "a woman" rather than being "introduced as a plus-size woman" for everything she is involved in.

Graham also realizes that it is important for her to continue to be outspoken, however. And because of this, she continues to forge forward with her message of inclusivity, which includes wearing the title of plus-size for those who feel unseen.

RELATED: Ashley Graham Says You 'Can't Only Have A Pretty Face' To Model Anymore

"What motivates me to continue to talk about my body is that I didn’t have someone talking about their body when I was young," Graham explained. "This is why I don’t post the 'perfect' Instagram photos," she continued.

I keep it real and raw constantly because I want [people] to know that there are women with cellulite, with back fat, with stretch marks.

Staying real is what has made Graham so relatable to her fans. As such, when it appeared that she lost weight over the past several years, fans started to question whether they were losing their advocate for curvy women.

Camera Angles Can Change Appearances In An Instant

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via Fearless with Ashley Graham

Given her time in the modeling industry, Graham knows how to work a camera. She is aware of which angles flatter her and how to work with light in her photos. As such, on any given day, the Sports Illustrated model can appear larger or smaller. But those fans who are not privy to this knowledge have accused Graham of essentially selling out over the years.

Like always, Graham has addressed the issue head-on.

"Raise your hand if you go through a tough selfie-editing process before picking the perfect photo to post on Instagram," Graham asked of her fans in a self-penned essay.

"Most people wouldn’t put up a picture they felt made them feel less than beautiful. Having been a model for sixteen years, I know my angles, just like we all know our favorite filters and lighting and our good sides. I pick the photos I like best."

One of those photos included Graham wearing "a white knit skirt, matching crop top, and an amazing Balmain leather jacket" that she felt amazing in. As such, she posted the pics to Instagram and "didn't give a second thought" to doing so.

The backlash received was viral. Comments came in hot regarding a "slimmer" Graham and they were not kind.

"I am so disappointed in you," one fan commented. Another stated, "You used to be a role model and I looked up to you."

"You don’t love the skin you’re in, you want to conform to Hollywood, you believe being skinnier is prettier," a third fan said.

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Graham explained that not only was she still the same size she had always been, but that she was "heavier" than she was three years prior. The problem that Graham was having, however, was that if she "did want to lose weight, it would be no one's decision but [her] own."

In more recent years, Graham has also given birth to two babies in short succession, almost losing her life in the process. This has also caused her to have a fluctuation in her weight not to mention her body composition. And she did lose weight to get her 50-plus-pound baby weight off.

But that does not mean that Graham decided to lose weight to a size that was no longer considered plus-size. If she did, however, as she said, that would be up to her.

Ashley Graham's Career Was Built On Size Inclusivity

Ashley Graham on Entertainment Tonight
via Entertainment Tonight

The reason that Graham has been so successful in her career is that not only is she a consummate professional when it comes to modeling, but she is also an advocate for body inclusivity. A fact that shows in her empowering Instagram posts. And given how passionate Graham is about this platform, the likelihood of it changing is slim to none.

Graham has broken down barriers during her career to become the first size 16 model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. She also has appeared on high-fashion covers generally reserved for the traditional-looking model, such as Vogue.

This is all because Graham has refused to listen to those in the fashion industry as to what is and is not considered beautiful, gaining her a legion of fans in the process.

RELATED: While Ashley Graham's The Picture Of Body Confidence, Another Top Model Size-Shamed Her

It is also her candidness that has helped to normalize women's bodies, regardless of size, and move the plus-size industry into a lucrative $193 billion industry. As such, Graham is remaining an "icon for body positivity," according to Sports Illustrated, and as of now, has no plans to change her status as a plus-size model.

Though if there was a change in title, Graham would not be opposed.