This Body-Positive Ad Starring Ashley Graham Has Been Banned For Being ‘Too Sexy’
The body-positive ad for Lane Bryant has been banned by two major US networks [Photo: Instagram/lanebryant]
Just when you think we’re beginning to make grounds in breaking down one-size-fits-all beauty boundaries within the media, two major US TV networks go and ban a body-positive advert featuring plus-sized models including Sports Illustrated cover girl Ashley Graham.
The new ad, part of Lane Bryant’s body positive campaign #ThisBody, features Ashley and other plus-sized models wearing either lingerie or nothing at all and sharing the aspect of their body that make them most proud, with the phrase “This body..”
The 30-second clip was designed to empower women and encourage them to celebrate body-positivity and diversity in an unapologetic way. The ad does include some close-up shots of body-parts and a breastfeeding model, but it’s not anything we haven’t seen before, say on a Dove advert. Unfortunately though, both ABC and NBC, don’t agree and have rejected the empowering advert for being too ‘sexy’.
The ad features a breast-feeding mother [Photo: Lane Bryant]
Neither network has publicly said specifically why they’ve chosen not to run the commercial but a representative from NBC denied the network had outright ‘rejected’ the ad.
“As part of the normal advertising standards process, we reviewed a rough cut of the ad and asked for minor edits to comply with broadcast indecency guidelines,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “The ad was not rejected and we welcome the updated creative.”
The ad was designed to encourage women to celebrate their bodies [Photo: Lane Bryant]
But Lane Bryant have hinted they believe the reason behind the snub could be due to the models’ ‘sizes’. In a statement about the subject they wrote:
“The This Body campaign was meant to be a fun way for us to celebrate and honor women of all shapes and sizes. What is too much for some does not hold true for others. All women should be celebrated and feel empowered to express themselves as they see fit. We want her to know she can attract as much media attention, look just as striking as any woman, and decide what beautiful means to her. The This Body commercial holds nothing back. It is a true celebration of women of all sizes doing what makes THEM feel beautiful whether its breastfeeding their newborn, flaunting their bodies the way they see fit, breaking down barriers all around and simply being who they are or want to be!”
Ashley Graham is one of the plus-sized models who features in the campaign [Photo: Lane Bryant]
This isn’t the first time that both Ashley Graham and Lane Bryant have encountered this kind of backlash. In 2010, Graham spoke out against a similar rejection from ABC, calling out the networks for featuring Victoria’s Secret adverts which she believes show just as much nudity.
“Victoria’s Secret commercials are airing all throughout the day,” Ashley said at the time. “But when it comes to a Lane Bryant commercial, we have a little bit of extra, you know, overflowing, and then everybody freaks out.”
One step forward for body-positivity, two steps back.
What do you think? Join the debate @YahooStyleUK.
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