Alice Dreger Quotes

My first shoot was on a rooftop in swimsuits with two plus-size models who were curvy and voluptuous and beautiful, and they taught me so much about being beautiful in any shape or size.

I'm 5'3'', and not often you get to see that in a magazine. I think that what is so cool about 'Sports Illustrated' is it's all different body shapes, all difference sizes. You have actresses, sports figures, musicians, so it's all about skin deep beauty sort of radiating to the outside, and that's what's so special.

My hair was curly, and everyone else's was straight or in micro braids. I didn't have a lot of money, so I shopped at thrift stores. And I'm petite - I never looked shapely. I remember thinking, 'Will I ever have that stereotypical round, full butt that people think most black women have? I had to find another way to feel good about myself.

I am more than my measurements. I'm not Ashley Graham just because I'm curvy.

Beauty doesn't have to be confined to one tiny singular tiny frame and I've always really enjoyed standing up for women and representing different shapes within the industry.

Nobody else knew what to do with me because big women are old.

There's no such thing as a standard size movie star, or woman for that matter.

My visibility may have gotten Hollywood to redefine what's attractive.

I've always been proud of my body, my Jewish nose and all of that. Hollywood's Hollywood, but that's not going to change.

There isn't anybody that looks like me without clothes on.

We've all got flesh. I've just got a little more.

To me, I always felt like I was carrying a torch for women of any size to be themselves - it doesn't matter whether you're a size 2 or a 22, just be who you are.

I have a thick skin, which comes from being a not-really-skinny, dark-skinned Indian woman. I haven't fit in every place, and so I'm kind of used to resistance.

I had some struggles to find my footing. I couldn't really find a place to appreciate me - I'm a little bit curvy for the dance world.

Whether you're tall or shorter, or a little bigger, more curves, skinny - you just have to be proud of what you have, and everyone is beautiful.

One cabbie chastened me by saying that the fashion industry was doing harm to young people, who are trying to live up to an unrealistic ideal. It prompted me to make body image and diversity key issues on 'The Business of Fashion.'

For so long, I have been an outsider because of my size. And I think that fashion has always, in some way, catered to celebrities or to a thinner idealistic model.

I want to show the world that if you want to be a bearded lady you are allowed to do it without being discriminated against.

It has to be something people prioritize - it should be the number-one priority: representing all types of beauty, all types of shapes and sizes.

I am not my skin. I am a model with a skin condition.

I'm thin and white and blond, but I'm not an airbrushed, perfect thing. I have stretch marks all over. I have cellulite; I have acne. To me, it feels like you can't really be what you can't see, and so if you don't see those things, then you don't feel like you're valid.

Some people say there's a reason that Victoria's Secret wouldn't put me or any woman who doesn't fit within a certain spectrum on the runway.

Of course, there are times when I've stood next to models and felt like an elephant, but I'm adamant about the fact that I'm not a big girl, I just have the natural feminine figure.

I'm representing the curvy girls and that's great.

Victoria's Secret should highlight real women that actually purchase their clothing. I would love for them to start featuring more real bodies and diverse women. Victoria's Secret has the ability to tell people, 'It's okay,' when they wake up in the morning. They have the ability to change lives.