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Ashley Graham just reached a major career milestone!
In 2015, the model appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue by posing for the first-ever bathing suit ad aimed at plus-sized women inside the magazine. But this year, she's actually featured as part of the mag's "Rookie" class.
"It's official - I'm a @si_swimsuit model!! This is a dream come true," Graham posted on her Instagram page earlier today. "Thank you to everyone who stood up for curves- our voices were heard and together we can help me win Rookie of the Year. Stay tuned for voting instructions #beautybeyondsize #siswim"
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Sporting a purple two-piece while reclining on the sand, Graham fits right in with the annual publication's bevy of beach-ready babes.
This is the second year someone considered "plus-sized" -- a term Graham wants to do away with entirely -- has appeared in the mag. Robyn Lawley, who describes herself as "a model beyond a size 10," also appeared in a spread last year.
SI describes Graham as an "advocate for beauty of all shapes and sizes," something she'd definitely agree with.
"I'm using my body to let other women know that imperfections are okay. Cellulite, rolls, curves -- the things that jiggle that 'shouldn't be jiggling' -- it's okay," she said at a Forbes summit last year. "I think what really helped me was a lot of people telling me 'no,'" she declared. "I've always kind of been a little bit of a rebel. My parents have told me 'no,' I've had agents tell me 'no' -- I've taken all those 'no's' and turned them into 'yesses.'"
This year's Sports Illustrated cover will be revealed on Saturday night -- who do you think got the coveted spot? Sound off below!
