Cheryl Tiegs has penned an open letter in which she apologizes for insensitive comments she made about Ashley Graham’s cover for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Ashley Graham, of course, is the first plus-size model to ever grace the cover and last year was the first to appear in the magazine.
When asked about her feelings on the unprecedented cover, Cheryl Tiegs said, “I don’t like that we’re talking about full-figured women because it’s glamorizing them, and your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches].”
That statement caused a firestorm to which Ashley Graham responded with a sort of “whatever” and brushed it right off.
Now, Cheryl Tiegs is trying to pedal herself out of the situation.
Cheryl Tiegs said in her letter that the question she was actually asked “was a generic question, and I said that I did not love it. 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.”
She continued, “What has ensued is yet another ‘manufactured media feud’ that is needed to feed websites and empty air time. I was not equating beauty to weight or size, but unfortunately that is what the media reported in headlines. 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.”
She went on to defend that statement, saying, “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.”
Then came a surprising admission: “And by the way, my waist is 37 inches.”
Wow. Really, Cheryl Tiegs?
What do you think about Cheryl Tiegs’ apology?
