Hunter McGrady is a 27-year-old plus-size model who got her start at the age of 15. In 2017, she made history by being the largest model, at a size 16, who was ever featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. These milestones are very important, as just a decade or so ago, this achievement might have seemed impossible based on the strict expectations of the publication.
As a pioneer of showing beauty at all sizes, Hunter is ready to take on her next role as a mom. In March 2021, she announced that she and her husband, Brian Keys, were expecting.
"We are so excited and thrilled to welcome this little baby into the world," she told People magazine. "After a tumultuous 2020 this feels like the rainbow at the end of the storm."
However, just like in modeling, plus-size pregnancy is something that often gets a lot of criticism. While it's more common than women are often led to believe, it's always nice to have someone like Hunter talk about the bias she's facing and the additional struggles she's had to face.
Like in most of her Instagram posts, Hunter was honest and told it like it is. "Plus size and pregnant," she wrote. "Being plus size the representation already falls incredibly short, but being plus size AND pregnant? Forget it."
"When I embarked on this journey I was excitedly googling pregnancy, plus size pregnancy, bump pictures, updates, all the things!" she continued. "However, I never saw myself represented, I knew going into this my belly wasn't going to be this perfect little round thing that just bops out. I knew I wouldn't have options for maternity wear, i knew my body would change in different ways than i have seen my whole life, and yet I don't know if I was prepared for how much the plus size pregnancy representation lacks."
She made a good point. Even at the doctor's office, which is usually decorated with positive pregnancy photos, plus-size women are never represented. "There aren't any plus size pregnant women on magazine covers, advertisements, television, or even the brochure's at the OBGYN office," she said. "It's almost as if we don’t exist, like we're an anomaly."
"I'm here to tell you that you are not a 'one off,' you're not wrong for being plus size and pregnant, your body is equipped for this," she concluded. "Wherever you are on your journey just remember how wildly worthy you are to experience this and enjoy every moment of it just as anyone else." And those words resonated with her fans.
This isn't Hunter's first, or last, attempt to advocate for curvier women. She's admitted that despite holding history at Sports Illustrated, it'll still be a long time until fashion is changed in a way that it benefits every body type. So while she's made progress, it's still something that only time can fully change.
"I think a lot of people want to report that the industry has changed rapidly and we've seen immense growth, but the truth of the matter is that it's slow. It's slow, but I think we are getting there," she told E! News. "I live in New York City and I still don't have the opportunity to go and shop in SoHo or 5th Avenue in any of the stores because none of them carry my size. I only have a few select stores that I'm able to shop with online."
"To me, you're really missing a huge, huge part of your customer who's there and willing to spend the money," she added. "They just don't have the product and for me, the question is, why? Why are we not catering to these women who are desperately in need of just beautiful fashion? Fashion has no size. Fashion has no age. Fashion is for everyone."
She even told E! News that the lack of diverse body types has made her less interested in watching fashion shows. As a model, that's pretty huge. "It goes back to the brands," she noted. "You can't use a plus-size model if you don't have plus-size clothes."
She also looks forward to the moment when a model isn't necessarily known just for being plus-size. Imagine living in a world where nobody categorized your body that way — if it was just a body, like any other.
"Even publications, I want to see curvier girls on the cover and I don't want to hear how curvy they are," she said. "It's not about their body. That's the least important thing about them."
Healthline posted a positive guide toward plus-size pregnancy. While it made readers aware of some of the complications that might occur during pregnancy, it's nothing that health care professionals haven't dealt with before. Even women who weigh less still might have pregnancy complications. There's no one weight that's been known to guarantee a smooth pregnancy.
But the site does offer suggestions on how to deal with any sort of negativity. It's upsetting to know that there are certain people out there who feel as if curvier women should be deprived of the chance of parenthood.
"When others speak unkind words, try to remember that your weight isn't anyone else's business. The only people who have a right to discuss your size are you, your doctor, and anyone else you choose to allow in the conversation," Healthline suggests.
Think about whether or not that advice would be given to all pregnant women. Why should plus-size women get treated any differently? Healthline advises those who go through plus-size pregnancy to act as if there's a shield to help protect from insensitive comments. As humans, we need to normalize a plus-size pregnancy like any other and stop being hateful and hurtful. Again, most critics aren't doctors.
Instead, women should be supporting other women. Instead of commenting on bodies and body shapes, perhaps it'd be more productive to offer motherhood and labor tips. Pregnant women don't need further medical counseling from friends and family. Hunter is still staying active and healthy, and she will continue doing so for her future baby boy.
"I am honoring my body exactly how I see fit," she mentioned online. "I am loving stretching, walking, light yoga, and most importantly working out my mental health!" And that's what's most important. She's a smart woman who is going to provide the best for her baby — and that's what really matters.
