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Cheryl Tiegs blasts Sports Illustrated for putting ‘full-figured’ Ashley Graham on swimsuit cover

Posted at 10:19 AM, Feb 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-26 10:19:49-05

LOS ANGELES — Former supermodel Cheryl Tiegs has graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue several times. But she has an issue with one of this year’s cover models.

The popular magazine featured three women — Ronda Rousey, Ashley Graham, and Hailey Clauson — on three different covers.

Graham is the first plus-size model to be featured on the cover of the magazine.

Tiegs told E! News she disagrees with that decision.

“I don’t like that we’re talking about full-figured women because it’s glamorizing them because your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches]. That’s what Dr. Oz said, and I’m sticking to it,” she explained in the interview. “No, I don’t think it’s healthy. Her face is beautiful. Beautiful. But I don’t think it’s healthy in the long run.”

Graham — who has not responded to Tiegs’ comments — took to Instagram after learning she would be featured on the cover of the iconic magazine.

“Truly speechless!!! This cover is for every woman who felt like she wasn’t beautiful enough because of her size. You can do and achieve anything you put your mind to,” she wrote on her post.

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Truly speechless!!! This cover is for every woman who felt like she wasn't beautiful enough because of her size. You can do and achieve anything you put your mind to. Thank you so much to the entire @si_swimsuit team! I'm so excited to be a part of your family. I love you all!!! #siswim #beautybeyondsize

A post shared by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@ashleygraham) on

Fans slammed Tiegs on Twitter and other social media for her comments about Graham.

Tiegs took to her Facebook page to try to clarify her comments.

“I would like to clarify my thoughts regarding bodyweight,” Tiegs wrote. “I don’t think being anorexic, bulimic or overweight are healthy. All of these can be connected to serious health issues. I want everyone to be as healthy as they can be.”