Former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Cheryl Tiegs slammed current cover girl Ashley Graham and her "full-figure" frame last month by saying the plus-size model is "glamorizing" what she deemed as an unhealthy body weight. Tiegs, who is known as America's first supermodel, apologized to Graham in a now-deleted tweet last week, and now she's issued an official apology in an open letter.
During a red carpet interview at the 13th annual Global Green USA Pre-Oscar Party, Tiegs was asked her thoughts on the use of "full-figured" models. Tiegs, 68, responded honestly when she said she didn't think it was "healthy" for the American society as a whole. In her open letter, she has now explained why she responded that way.
"My answer was based on health concerns because of our nation's increasing problems with weight linked to diabetes, heart issues and cancer. At no time was I thinking of a specific person," Tiegs wrote.
Many believed Tiegs' answer was a response to Graham's 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, since the former Lane Bryant model was the first-ever plus-size model to be featured on its cover. But Tiegs blamed the media for her "feud" with Graham. She also tried to explain that when she said a woman's waist should be less than 35 inches, she didn't mean to equate beauty to size or weight.
"I was trying to express my concern over media images and the lack of education in America about healthy choices, thus the reference to the 35-inch waist as a guideline to health. I did hear that on Dr. Oz, but it's also stated on websites such as The Center For Disease Control, Harvard University and The American Diabetes Association," she continued. "And by the way, my waist is 37 inches."
Tiegs explained that she is concerned for the health and well-being of Americans and her views on body weight and size have nothing to do with beauty, but the rising number of people who suffer from diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart disease that may be related to body weight.
"Please accept my deepest apology if you were offended or in any way think I was referring to you," Tiegs wrote, addressing Graham. "I commend you on the positive influence you have on helping women to love themselves."
