Cheryl Tiegs APOLOGIZES to Ashley Graham: "My Waist Is 37 Inches"

Last week, veteran supermodel Cheryl Tiegs found herself in some hot water over disparaging comments she made about plus-size model Ashley Graham.

Graham had recently made history as the first plus-size model to grace the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

While many considered it a welcome departure from the unattainable, super skinny physique of models past, Tiegs was not a fan.

“Her face is beautiful, beautiful,” said Tiegs. “But I don’t think it’s healthy in the long run.”

“I don’t like that we’re talking about full-figured women because it’s glamorizing them because your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches],” she added.

Tiegs later tried to explain her comments on Twitter, writing, “To clarify re bodyweight. Being anorexic/bulimic/overweight all connected to health problems. I want all to be as healthy as they can.”  

But Graham was not impressed. “People are saying she apologized. But I never heard one,” she said.

Tiegs has now written an open letter to Graham, published on HuffPost in an attempt to explain her thoughts on the issue and officially apologize.

She begins by blaming the media for twisting her words.

“Here is the question that was asked of me: ‘Do you love the fact that we are actually stepping outside our comfort zone of what we know is like the model figure and we are actually using full figured women and making that a thing now?’ 

“This 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 continues by saying that her concerns remain centered around health, not standards of beauty.

“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.”

And then came this shocker:

“And by the way, my waist is 37 inches.”

She concludes by apologizing directly to Graham.

“Please accept my deepest apology if you were offended or in any way think I was referring to you. I commend you on the positive influence you have on helping women to love themselves.”

What do you think about Tieg’s comments? Is she expressing valid concerns over health or simply body shaming?

Ashley Graham Has THIS to Say About Cheryl Tiegs

Ashley Graham isn’t about to lose any sleep over the misguided comments of Cheryl Tiegs.

But she is about to respond to them…

In light of Graham landing the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition last month, Tiegs (a veteran model who was featured in the same issue many times back in the day) told E! News that the plus-sized model actually sets a bad example for women around the world.

Considering most people think the exact opposite, Tiegs’ criticism quickly went viral.

“I don’t like that we’re talking about full-figured women because it’s glamorizing them [when] your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches],” Tiegs actually said. 

She went on to label the Size 16 Graham as “unhealthy.”

How does Graham feel about this insult?

“My skin is so thick,” Graham told E! this week, adding:

“I kind of rolled my eyes, I was like, ‘Oh whatever, another one of these ladies.’

“But what’s great is that – the fact that she said it – it means that other women think like her. And what that means is that we really need to change the industry.”

Tiegs attempted to defed her comments by later taking to Twitter and writing:

“To clarify re bodyweight. Being anorexic/bulimic/overweight all connected to health problems. I want all to be as healthy as they can.”

But that wasn’t exactly the Mea Culpa many were hoping for. Including Graham.

“I’ve never personally heard from her. She said her comment about me, then never heard a follow up. People are saying she apologized. But I never heard one,” the 28-year old said.

Graham concluded:

“It’s a shame that we have to bring other people down, but that’s why I’m here. I’ve got to bring other women up.”

You tell ’em, Ashley. You tell ’em all.

Cheryl Tiegs Slams Ashley Graham as "Unhealthy," Terrible Role Model

Cheryl Tiegs has come out against Ashley Graham.

And plus-sized models everywhere, actually.

The former supermodel finds herself in majorly hot water after telling E! News that she thinks Sports Illustrated made a mistake in covering its latest Swimsuit Issue with Graham, who wears a Size-16.

“I don’t think it’s healthy,” says Tiegs, a former SI Swimsuit Issue star, explaining why as follows:

“Her face is beautiful, beautiful. But I don’t think it’s healthy in the long run.”

Tiegs made her comments at the 13th Annual Global Green USA Pre-Oscar Party.

And they got even more controversial.

“I don’t like that we’re talking about full-figured women because it’s glamorizing them because your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches],” she actually said.

“That’s what Dr. Oz said, and I’m sticking to it.”

Oh, Dr. Oz said that? 

The discredited TV host who admitted in front of Congress that he’s misled viewers multiple times when it comes recommended weight loss products and other kinds of supplements?

He’s definitely an authority one should listen to… NOT!

Graham made history on February 13 when she was named the first Size-16 model to land the cover of Sports Illustrated, doing so along with UFC fighter Ronda Rousey and Hailey Clauson.

“I thought Sports Illustrated was taking a risk by putting a girl my size in the pages,” Graham said at the time.

“But putting me on the cover? They aren’t just breaking barriers; they are the standard now. This is beyond epic.”

Tiegs, meanwhile, is cool with Clauson as a cover selection.

“I remember posting a picture of a beautiful swimsuit model on my refrigerator,” she recently Tweeted.

“It gave me the inspiration to have a thin, #healthy, strong body. #HaileyClauson #Motivation.”

What do you think of Cheryl Tiegs’ comments? Are plus-sized models bad role models?

Or do they offer hope and inspiration to women who have different body types than the typical super model?