A Plus-Size Model Embraces Her Body and Silences Critics That Say She Should Get Thinner

Hunter McGrady is known as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s “curviest model ever.” But this milestone and other achievements weren’t enough to keep haters away. Now, she speaks about how she deals with them.

Meet Hunter McGrady.

Hunter McGrady is an American model and body positivity advocate renowned for her work in the fashion industry. Her breakthrough moment came in 2017. She was selected through an open casting call to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, making her debut as one of the magazine’s curviest models ever. This achievement marked a significant step in her career and highlighted her commitment to challenging conventional beauty standards.

McGrady’s influence extends beyond modeling. She is a vocal advocate for mental health, self-love, and body diversity. Through interviews, social media, and public appearances, she encourages people to embrace their bodies and reject unrealistic societal expectations.

The pivotal moment of her life.

McGrady’s career began as a model at the age of 15, during which she faced significant pressure to maintain a size two, leading to personal struggles with body image and self-acceptance. In a recent interview, she remembered that once she grasped the fact that being a slim fit wasn’t going to be her journey, she let herself live and be happy. Over time, she transitioned to plus-size modeling, finding her niche and voice in promoting body positivity and inclusivity within the fashion world.

It wasn’t an easy journey.

The Los Angeles native admitted that the road to acceptance was long, but therapy played a crucial role in her journey to self-love. She emphasized the importance of appreciating what our bodies can do rather than focusing on societal pressures to look a certain way.

“I think what Sports Illustrated is doing — celebrating all bodies — is so powerful. They’re doing the work. Especially right now when we’re entering this weird era, celebrating thinness,” McGrady noted.

But she keeps receiving negative comments about her body.

“No matter what you do, you’re going to get hate,” McGrady shrugged. “But you’re also going to get love. Negative comments or anybody who shames someone about their body? That’s so boring. Get something better to talk about.”

She emphasizes that criticism and negativity are inevitable, but so is support and appreciation. For McGrady, the act of body-shaming is tiresome and unproductive, reflecting more on the critic than the person being targeted. She encourages people to find more meaningful and positive topics of discussion, shifting focus away from superficial judgments.

Her message to plus-sized women.

McGrady stresses that self-love is the foundation of true confidence and resilience. Despite setbacks and challenges, the continuous effort to nurture self-love is crucial. Without it, external achievements and changes hold little significance.

“Confidence is not linear. It’s a climb,” she mentioned.

As the 60th-anniversary issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit hits newsstands, McGrady’s cover serves as a powerful reminder that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Through her journey and advocacy, she continues to inspire and promote a more inclusive and accepting view of beauty in the fashion industry and beyond.

I Saw My Fiancé Proposing to Another Woman in Front of His Family

I Saw My Fiancé Proposing to Another Woman in Front of His Family

Imagine walking into a surprise that flips your world: your fiancé, on his knee, but not for you. Worst of all, the ring was an identical copy of yours. That happened to me, but here’s the thing: I don’t take betrayal lying down.

I’m Jessica, and I was living what I thought was a love story for the ages with Jack, my fiancé. The idea of a whirlwind romance is only really great in movies, where you don’t know what happens after the credits roll.

I was naive and thought Jack was the one. He proposed to me just six months into our relationship at my favorite restaurant. We even got applause from other people. I gushed about it to my friends, being a little braggy about it, and I believed all his promises. Our connection felt destined. Life, however, had its own plans.

Man putting a ring on a woman's finger. | Source: Unsplash

Man putting a ring on a woman’s finger. | Source: Unsplash

I got an opportunity at work. It was just a six-month contract, but in another city four hours away. Jack and I made a plan to see each other once a month if the plane costs weren’t so high. That first month, he came to visit me, and we had a fantastic time, getting to know a new city together.

The second month, I went back, visited my family, and started wedding planning. We picked a date! It was supposed to be two months after my contract ended. After that, I got too busy. Jack did, too, at his job, or so I thought.

We didn’t see each other for an entire month. So, on a whim, I decided to surprise him. I flew back without telling him and headed straight to that same restaurant where this all began. I didn’t know if I wanted to plan a special dinner, but the staff knew me and would help.

The problem is that I didn’t expect to find Jack already there. And even worse, I saw him proposing to another woman at the very table where he had asked me to marry him. My jaw was on the floor the entire time, and for a second, I thought I was reliving my memory.

Woman with mouth wide open. | Source: Unsplash

Woman with mouth wide open. | Source: Unsplash

People around them clapped. I think the woman had brought her family. Jack stood after putting the ring on his new fiancée and must have sensed something because he turned and saw me. His lips thinned, and I knew this was no mistake or misunderstanding.

I wanted to scream and shout and call him every name in the book. But nothing came out, and then, he said something to the other woman and rushed to me, determined.

“Let me go,” I seethed when he grabbed my arm, but he dragged me outside.

“Jessica, listen to me!”

Man wiht angry face, pointing his finger at his head. | Source: Unsplash

Man wiht angry face, pointing his finger at his head. | Source: Unsplash

“I WON’T LISTEN TO ANYTHING, YOU SCUMBAG!”

“Don’t scream!” he snapped, staring daggers at my face. “This is for us!”

“What?” I asked, outraged.

“I’m only marrying Monica for her money. I’ll divorce her as soon as I can, and you and I will be able to retire early,” Jack said.

Was his explanation supposed to sway me? What the hell was he thinking? I didn’t say a word. He kept talking about meeting Monica a while ago and why this was a good idea. Spoiler: it wasn’t!

Moreover, all my love for him had vanished the second I saw him on his knee for someone else. In fact, as he kept talking, I started to think. I could walk away right now, and he would be happy, tricking this woman into marriage for her money.

Woman smirking. | Source: Unsplash

Woman smirking. | Source: Unsplash

I didn’t have to let that happen. My face broke into a smile, and Jack grinned, too.

“I see you understand now,” he gushed. “So, you agree to keep this secret? We’d have to move our wedding date, but still…”

“Fine,” I said, nodding.

He asked me to leave, and I agreed. But when he wasn’t looking, I ran and hid in the restaurant bathroom. I knew Monica would have to come in.

When she walked in, I took a deep breath and told her everything. I showed her pictures of Jack and me, the texts, and, most damning of all, my engagement ring—which was identical to hers. Her mouth dropped just like mine.

Woman taking off a diamond ring. | Source: Shutterstock

Woman taking off a diamond ring. | Source: Shutterstock

I also told her why Jack was doing this and my plan. Monica was a gem. We walked together back to the dining area, and I had the pleasure of seeing Jack’s face go pale.

Almost as if we had planned it, Monica and I removed our rings and threw them at his face. The room went quiet, but soon, it was filled with our story. We told everyone what Jack had done to us and his scheme.

When we were done, Monica hugged me and went to her family. I walked away from the restaurant, with the entire staff watching in shock…and admiration. Telling my family wasn’t fun, and dealing with the aftermath was annoying.

But I had to look on the bright side: I hadn’t married that scumbag.

Woman walking through nature. | Source: Unsplash

Woman walking through nature. | Source: Unsplash

Have you ever gotten back at someone who betrayed you?

Woman has dramatic makeover, shocks husband who doesn’t recognize her This 60-year-old decided to give her husband a huge surprise by transforming her appearance with […]

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*