Comedian Amy Schumer and plus-sized model Ashley Graham exchanged compliments Thursday after the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover girl accused Schumer of hypocrisy regarding body size.
Graham, who describes herself as a body activist, took issue with Schumer objecting to what the comic saw as having been grouped with plus-sized women in Glamour magazine in April. “I can see both sides,” Graham says in the current issue of Cosmopolitan, “but Amy talks about being a big girl in the industry. You thrive on being a big girl, but when you’re grouped in with us, you’re not happy about it? That, to me, felt like a double standard.”
Schumer, 35, who was raised in Rockville Centre, tweeted in response, “I totally understand Ashley’s feelings. I don’t group myself in with her because she is unbelievably beautiful. Nothing but respect for her.” Graham, who is in her late 20s, commented on Schumer’s feed shortly afterward, “I have the greatest respect for Amy Schumer! So glad to be able to exchange thoughts, ideas & opinions w/ another incredible female force.”
The “Trainwreck” and “Inside Amy Schumer” star had taken exception to a special edition of Glamour featuring plus-size fashions, and including her in a collection of reprinted interviews along with Melissa McCarthy, Lena Dunham and Christina Hendricks.
“I think there’s nothing wrong with being plus size,” Schumer wrote on Instagram on April 5. “Beautiful healthy women. Plus size is considered size 16 in America. I go between a size 6 and an 8. Glamour put me in their plus size only issue without asking or letting me know and it doesn’t feel right to me. Young girls seeing my body type thinking that is plus size? What are your thoughts? Mine are not cool glamour not glamorous.”
Glamour had quickly responded in a statement, saying, “The cover line on this special edition — which is aimed at women size 12 and up — simply says ‘Women Who Inspire Us,’ since we believe her passionate and vocal message of body positivity IS inspiring, as is the message of the many other women, of all sizes, featured, The edition did not describe her as plus-size. We are sorry if we offended her in any way.”
