Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ‘Plus-Size’ Model Not as Plus-Size as Advertised

In a strange turn of events, Ashley Graham will not be the first plus-size model to grace the pages of Sports Illustrated magazine Swimsuit Edition, according to USA today.

Despite previous reports, the brunette beauty will reportedly only appear in a paid advertisement, and not as a featured model.

So, who is the actual “plus-sizer” model? Meet Robyn Lawley, the first “true” plus-sized model to land a feature in the famous publication, and she’s sporting a suit from her very own bikini line.

Standing at 6’2″, Lawley wears a size 12 and also has the privilege to be the first plus-sizer to make it to the cover of Australian Vogue, as well as being the first plus-size face of Ralph Lauren. For comparison, Graham is a size 16 and 5’9″ tall.

“I don’t know if I consider myself as a plus-size model or not,” the 25-year-old Aussie told Time Magazine. “I just consider myself a model, because I’m trying to help women in general except their bodies.”

Not only is Lawley much larger than most of the women who pose for the mag, she is also pregnant…Very pregnant.

The model spoke with Cosmopolitan back in December, where she disclosed she was a little worried about her career after pregnancy.

“The one thing I’m quite worried about is stretch marks. I don’t have any yet — knock on wood — but if they do happen, I’ll just have to live with it… As a lingerie model, that’s not ideal.”

By looking at photos, Lawley doesn’t appear to be of above average size. However, her height would technically make her larger than the average model.

Ashley Graham, who was originally reported to be this year’s inaugural big fish, might have her turn down the road. The curvaceous brunette is most definitely qualified.