NEW YORK — Plus-size model Ashley Graham is speaking out after her Lane Bryant lingerie commercial was reportedly banned from being aired on Fox's American Idol and ABC's Dancing With the Stars.
"It's a bit prejudice," Graham tells New York's WPIX-TV of the controversy. "The Victoria's Secret girls can flaunt around in their panties all day long, but when there's a bigger woman with a little bit extra they snip it out immediately."
Graham said she was told the commercial showed "too much skin" and that it wasn't going to air. Both Fox and ABC have since changed their stance, but reportedly not without some limitations.
"Honestly, it's sad," said Graham. "I feel sad for all the plus-size women who are a bit curvier. We can't see ourselves having a good time dancing around in our bra and underwear. I think the majority of women in America are my size and they want to see themselves on television."
Lane Bryant released a statement through its "Inside Curve" blog, accusing the networks of attempting to define beauty by denying the new commercial from airing freely. The plus-size women's clothing retailer claims ABC refused to show the commercial during DWTS without restricting the airtime to the final moments of the show, while Fox allegedly demanded excessive re-edits before approved the ad for the final 10 minutes of Idol.
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Watch the controversial Lane Bryant ad below:
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