BLOG #22: THE AWESOMENESS OF ASHLEY GRAHAM

Last week while I was flipping channels, I came across something that really blew me away, and I wanted to share it with all of you.

There's this show that I have only ever heard about called _Celebrity Undercover Boss._ Apparently, these celebrity types dress up and infiltrate the lives of other people to see what they're actually like. I used to think that part of the allure for celebrities was to see how everyday people would treat them if they didn't know they were celebrities. But that's another Blog.

As a rule, I don't really watch a lot of reality shows. Usually it seems to be an excuse for attention seeking idiots to try to outdo each other in being idiots. There are a few exceptions, but not many. This episode was definitely an exception.

In this episode, Ashley Graham -- an amazingly gorgeous supermodel with curves to die for -- had gone undercover and met with three different people. I am sorry to say I missed the first segment. The second segment, however, featured a wonderful woman named Helei Amini: a plus-sized model originally from Afghanistan who grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. Aside from the fact that Helei is a frakking knockout, she was also sweet as sugar and as personable as a person can be. She and Ashley (going by the name of Morgan) met at a place called DAS Modeling Agency. Ashely was pretending to be new to modeling and to have no idea what to do. Helei immediately began talking to Ashley about the process, and they discussed Helei's background, how she got into modeling, etc. The two of them were the only curvy girls in the room, and I was pretty disgusted by the looks the other "conventional-sized" models gave them.
 
(I would like to take a moment to address any "conventional-sized" model-types who might read this: it doesn't matter how Beautiful you may be, when you give shitty_ "what-the hell-is-that-whale-doing-in-here?" looks to big girls who walk into the same modeling agency you happen to be in, you're not just being uglier than a Vogon's backside, you're also being a galactic-scale bitch as well)

The two of them get called in, and the woman who initially speaks to them is nice enough and offers to get Ashley's measurements. When she does, this guy -- the VP of Operations, who was apparently running the place -- started giving the nice woman a cup full of crap over her even giving these two curvy girls the time of day! When Ashley asks him if everything is okay, he proceeds to tell her in the shittiest possible way that he does not want them wasting his time.

Okay, I grok. I would never begrudge a person for their preferences, especially when you're running a business. By that I mean if your agency focuses on "conventional" looks, that's your choice (and, in my exalted opinion, your loss); but at least have the decency to not be a complete dickwad twatwaffle about it! There is no excuse for talking to these two like they're something foul that you're scraping off your boot.

Never mind that idiot. Ashley and her new friend leave and go eat, where, to her new friend's credit, she reveals that she doesn't ever let people like this VP douche-nozzle get under her skin.

In the next segment, I was really happy to see that Askley Graham was going to meet a girl all of you have probably seen on the Internet long before I saw her on an AT&T commercial: Lizzy Howell, a young girl of size who can pirouette like any size 2 I've ever seen! During that segment, this girl helps Ashley in a dance class (even lending her tights and a bra!). Ballet is this Beautiful young girl's life, and she definitely has the skill to make it. All Lizzy needs is someone to give her that chance, and you'll see her rocket to ballet superstardom!

The best part of this entire segment was that Lizzy seemed completely oblivious to the monumentally positive message her video had on girls all over the world. To her, she was just doing what she always does, every day. She wasn't trying to make a statement, or send a message; she just Loves to dance, and that's all she was doing. It was the world that made her video go viral, because it was the world that took Lizzy's dance video to heart and saw in it a message and an inspiration for anyone who has ever been uncomfortable with their body. To her, though, it was just another day of dance class. I Love that!

At the end of the show, Ashley Graham revealed herself to her three subjects and then proceeded to help each them in the way they needed most. Each of the three people whose lives she infiltrated have been changed forever, and the message she instilled with this episode is that good things do happen to good people.

I absolutely adore what Ashley Graham did for these three. Anyone who reads this Blog needs to search out the Ashley Graham episode of Celebrity Undercover Boss and watch it.

Finally, though I didn't see the first segment, the woman Ashley helps is named Alexa Phelese; she is the founder of the nonprofit organization Every Body Deserves Love. Ashley Graham helped her get it a much needed boost.

You have got to check out her website and spread the word to your friends:

www.everybodydeserveslove.org

(Alexa, I you're reading this, I'm really sorry I didn't catch the first part of this episode. I am waiting for the repeat, since I don't have a TiVo! ^_^)

As for DAS Modeling Agency's VP of Operations, once you've seen the episode, I am sure you will want to give him a piece of your mind. Give him a piece of mine, too!

Seriously, Cats & Kittens and Truly Hoopy Froods, you need to see this episode.


_The preceding message has been brought to you by Cheshire Industries, Lovers of all things super-cool-awesome; and is sponsored by unexpected inspiration from unlikely sources; channel surfing; and my Love of feminine Beauty in all its forms, especially curvy ones. Thank you._

I AM The Kyle and I approved this message!