Ashley Graham knows her Broadway debut is bigger than her.
The supermodel is currently reading the boards as Roxie Hart in the hit Broadway revival of Chicago. And while speaking about the role to PEOPLE, Graham says she hopes her casting can have a trailblazing influence for other plus-size women women in theater.
“I just hope that it opens up people’s minds to put curvy leading ladies in these roles,” Graham says. “Just because we have curves doesn’t mean we can’t be the lead, doesn’t mean we can’t do all the dance moves and, you know, be love interests.”
Graham has long championed body positivity, of course, using her platform to empower women of all shapes and sizes. In doing so, she’s become a role model for countless fans.
She felt that love when her Chicago casting was announced back in March. “I did get a lot of really positive outpouring and love for the fact that this was going to be one of those moments, and I’m here for it,” Graham says. “I’m so excited — and I’m not going to let you down, girls, I’m not!”
Related: From the Runway to Roxie! Ashley Graham Takes First Broadway Bow in Chicago
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Ashley Graham.
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Broadway was always a dream for Graham. She tells PEOPLE she wrote “sing on Broadway” on her vision board back in 2019, and since securing the role, she’s been rigorously training five to eight hours a day, six days a week.
“You get thrown into a situation and either you show up or you don’t. So I’ve had to really show up,” she says. “I’ve had to push myself out of bed on these mornings where I’m like, ‘Really? It’s Saturday or Sunday morning, don’t we need a day off?’ And they’re like, ‘Fight through it.'”
Though new to acting, her modeling career served as a solid foundation.”Modeling is all about confidence and knowing how to move your body,” she says, noting that “acting requires the same thing,” but also includes memorizing lines, mastering choreography and staying in character.
“Broadway is a lot harder,” Graham admits.
Related: Ashley Graham Rocks ’90s Power Suit-Inspired Look at the 2025 Met Gala
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Ashley Graham.
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The mother of three — who shares sons Isaac, 5, and twins Malachi and Roman, 3, with husband Justin Ervin — joins a prestigious list of celebrities who have portrayed Roxie Hart on Broadway, including Pamela Anderson, Brandy Norwood, Lisa Rinna, Christie Brinkley, Ariana Madix, Erika Jayne and Brooke Shields.
The latter offered Graham invaluable support. The two met serendipitously before Graham’s audition, with Shields giving Graham simple yet profound advice: “be yourself.”
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Ashley Graham and Sophie Carmen-Jones after Graham’s first performance in ‘Chicago the Musical’ on April 15, 2025
Related: Ashley Graham Says Brooke Shields Has Been ‘a Beacon of Light’ as She Preps for Debut in Broadway’s Chicago
Graham’s done that in her performance, and then some. “Roxie really is in all of us,” she previously told CBS Mornings. “She’s the go-getter, she wants to make it to the top, and she’ll do anything to get there.”
“I have been told no so many times in my career. I’ve been told that I’m not good enough. All the things,” Graham said. “And I’m using that and bringing that to the stage.”
Audiences can catch Graham’s limited engagement in Chicago through May 25 at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City.
Tickets are now on sale.
Read the original article on People
