Ashley Graham Is Named 2023 World's Sexiest Woman By Maxim And Says Having Children Gave Her "More Of A Drive"

Ashley Graham exploded on the scene as a plus-size model for Sports Illustrated, but she soon became a household name who was even interviewing the biggest stars on the red carpet at the 2023 Academy Awards. She has over 20 million followers on Instagram, where she shares little moments of her life with fans. She's been married to cinematographer Justin Ervin for almost 13 years, and they have three children together. The couple met in church, and she was enamored by his originality, claiming that she knew right away that he was the one. In a new interview with Maxim, Ashley is named the number one sexiest woman in the world in 2023. It's not her first time posing for Maxim, but this time she opens up about how becoming a mother has changed her modeling career.

Ashley Graham Is Named 2023 World's Sexiest Woman by Maxim and Says Having Children Gave Her "More of a Drive"

Ashley is known for her sex appeal even though she is considered one of the bigger models to have graced the cover of magazines. But she doesn't think that weight should have any effect on a woman's beauty. “We can look at everybody’s shapes and sizes, gender, ethnicity, and age as part of who they are; it doesn’t have to be a negative or a positive,” she told Maxim. “It should be something that’s easily embraced, and we don’t need to be having these conversations all the time. Our bodies are always changing, and they’re always evolving. I’ve been using my own body as a tool to be able to talk about these feelings.”

She posed for Maxim in a few different outfits: nude lingerie with a matching robe, a black-and-nude lace see-through dress, a black bra with matching black jeans, and a red bra with a matching red maxi skirt. There's no denying that there is something sexy and charming about Ashley, but she says she dresses pretty low key when she's living her family life in New Jersey.

“Most days I’m in fuzzy socks, Crocs, baggy sweatpants, a wireless bra, no makeup on. What does Drake say in that song? ‘Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin’ with no makeup on, that’s when you’re the prettiest, I hope that you don’t take it wrong.’ I took that seriously, and that’s how I roll every day," she said. "That’s how I run my errands in New Jersey. School drop-offs? I’m that hot soccer mom."

She also talked about how becoming a mother has given her more motivation to keep going with her career. “Having children has given me more of a drive,” she said. She says it's especially meaningful that she was crowned the sexiest woman alive this year since she just gave birth to twins in January 2022.

“The first time I was on the cover of Maxim I did not have three kids, and this time I have three little babies. It makes you remember that ‘hotness’ is in so many scenarios, and comes in all shapes and sizes. I’ve always preached that, but after I saw my body change so much after having three kids back-to-back, it’s hard to wrap my head around accepting my body and where I am, and how new and different it looks. So, thanks, Maxim!” she said.

Ashley is grateful for the popularity that she has grown for herself over the last few years. "It's an honor," she said in reference to becoming a body positive icon for women everywhere. She knows it comes with "a lot of responsibility—responsibility that I don't take lightly," but she hopes that she can be a tool for change around the world. She has been modeling from a young age and had many amazing milestones along the way, but she still sees herself as the everyday girl from Lincoln, Nebraska.

“I moved to Nebraska when I was 12. I left when I was 17, but I still claim it because I love my Nebraska roots. I was actually discovered in a mall in Nebraska when I was 12 years old. Pretty wild," she said.