House of Maher: “Ashley Graham: Body Confidence, Boob Contouring & Getting Hotter With Age” (Nov 11, 2025)
Host: Wave
Sisters/Co-hosts: Ilona Maher, Olivia Maher, Adrianna "Dre Baby" Maher
Guest: Ashley Graham
Episode Overview
This lively and candid episode of House of Maher welcomes supermodel and entrepreneur Ashley Graham for a wide-ranging, laughter-filled discussion with the Maher sisters. Together, they tackle topics like body confidence, the real story behind viral Victoria's Secret moments, building personal and professional confidence with age, boob contouring, the challenges of inclusivity in fashion, dating advice and “girl dinner” sisterhood. True to the show’s spirit, the tone is empowering, supportive, irreverent, and joyfully honest.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Reading Fiction vs. Nonfiction: Smart is Smart! ([02:00]–[05:30])
- The sisters debunk a Twitter myth claiming “people who read fiction are not as smart as nonfiction readers.”
- Ashley and the sisters assert the value of imagination, empathy, and cognitive skills gained from fiction — supported by AI-powered research (“Perplexity”).
- Quote:
“Reading fiction can make you smarter by improving cognitive abilities, verbal intelligence, empathy, memory, and analytical thinking...” – Adriana Maher, reading Perplexity response [03:52]
2. Getting Hotter With Age: Evolving Confidence ([06:16]–[07:40])
- The group reflects on personal style and growth; Ashley shares how she really “found herself” after having kids.
- Quote:
“You suck. You’re so confused in your 20s... just remember: it gets better. I’m getting better and I’m really excited to turn 40 in a couple years.” – Ashley Graham [07:03]
3. Speaking Up & Setting Boundaries ([07:40]–[08:40])
- Discussion about gaining confidence to speak your mind as you age, whether in restaurants or business settings.
- Ashley confesses she once found it awkward to send food back but now embraces advocating for herself and her husband.
4. Bra Sizes, Boob Contouring, and Lingerie Realness ([08:40]–[12:17])
- Entertaining banter on not wearing bras, fitting issues, sisterly jealousy, and Ashley’s tips on choosing bras for “the swell.”
- Ashley dishes on “boob contouring” during runway spray tans (“they will contour you!”) and runway prep for Victoria’s Secret.
- Memorable moment: Detailed story about negotiating backstage, rejecting outfits she wasn’t comfortable in, and actually getting to decide details on the Victoria’s Secret runway.
- Quote:
“I’m the one having to rock it down the runway.” – Ashley Graham [12:07]
5. Behind-the-Scenes at Victoria’s Secret: Pushing Inclusivity ([12:18]–[14:25])
- Ashley recounts her journey advocating for real size inclusivity — refusing to participate unless Victoria’s Secret genuinely expanded size offerings.
- She describes meetings with the CEO, the importance of not being a token, and how her participation ensures real change. Adam Selman’s creative direction is lauded for bringing vibrance and fantasy back.
- Quote:
“I can’t say yes to a brand... as the token, curvy, plus-size... unless you tell me you’re really going to go into extended size.” – Ashley Graham [13:17]
6. Social Media, Representation & Responsibility ([14:25]–[16:06])
- Ashley discusses the burden of being “the face” of body diversity for major campaigns and the importance of careful brand alignment.
- The Maher sisters bond over the power of having a strong team — especially women — and the comfort it brings to public figures.
7. Relationships, Dating & Girl Energy ([16:32]–[23:41])
- Lively segment about dating in the modern age; Ashley’s wingwoman skills, her mom’s epic year of 70 dates cross-country, and advice on finding meaningful connections versus “job interview” dates.
- Ashley’s own story: meeting her husband in an elevator at church, dating a year with no sex, and building on shared values.
- Quote:
“I’m tired of giving my power away. Let me hold on to it a little bit.” – Ashley Graham, describing dating with new boundaries [19:08]
8. Sisterhood, Affirmations & Raising Boys ([26:02]–[28:43])
- Ashley calls herself a “girls’ girl,” always willing to share contacts and advice.
- On raising three boys: hopes to raise kind, respectful sons whose partners will someday thank her; describes the “WWE” chaos at home, and ambitions for sons’ future careers (“tradesmen, plumbers, contractors”).
- Quote:
“One of my goals in life is to have my son’s partners come up to me and say thank you because I want to raise respectful, responsible, sweet, kind, awesome young men.” – Ashley Graham [26:47]
9. Affirmations, Manifestation & Spiritual Foundations ([28:44]–[30:58])
- Ashley shares how affirmations, rooted initially in her religious upbringing, evolved into conscious self-talk and manifestation strategies.
- Affirms the power of words: “your words have power,” describing affirmations done solo, with family, or even while driving.
10. Body Positivity vs. Body Neutrality ([31:05]–[33:53])
- Ilona discusses grappling with changing identity post-Olympic training.
- Ashley introduces the realness of “body neutrality” over toxic positivity—sometimes it’s enough just to thank your body for working.
- Quote:
“It’s okay to not really like what you see in the mirror, but to know that your body is strong and powerful and it’s working today.” – Ashley Graham [33:19]
11. The Changing Body Image Landscape & “Fighting the Fight” ([33:54]–[36:49])
- The pressure and exhaustion of being a leading voice on body acceptance, especially when trends shift and “skinny” comes back.
- Ashley admits she’s accepted she’ll always be asked about her body but reframes it through the lens of helping “middle school Ashley.”
- Adrianna credits Ashley for positive representation:
“It was the first time really, I saw someone that I was like, oh, I look like that.” – Adrianna Maher [35:27]
12. On Online Comments and Resilience ([36:26]–[36:51])
- Honest talk about hateful messages on social media (“You look like a man,” “You’re so brave”) and the healthy perspective needed to handle them.
- Quote:
“It’s exhausting... It’s not nice. We don’t like not nice people.” – Ashley Graham [36:49–36:51]
13. JCPenney Line: Fashion for Curvy Women ([41:16]–[45:46])
- Ashley shares the joy and sense of “coming home” as creative director for Ashley Graham at JCPenney—focused exclusively on curvy girls and sized for realism, style, and inclusion.
- Highlights: unique grading (fit), intentional ruching, sexy and nostalgic pieces, rejection of stereotypical “cold-shoulder” or “safari” looks for larger women.
- Quote:
“The grading system is not made for us. The in-store experience is not made for us. So... I went in guns a blazing and said... this is based off what does this fashion-forward chick really want to wear?” – Ashley Graham [42:53–43:59]
14. Advice for Strong Women – Especially in Dating ([47:03]–[47:44])
- Ashley’s closing gems:
“Don’t get advice from people that you don’t like the decisions that they’ve made.” [47:16]
“Just don’t have sex on the first date, and then maybe you’ll figure out if you like him.” [47:35] - Encouragement for all to own their strength and standards.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the Victoria’s Secret Show:
“I’m the one wearing it. I’m the one having to rock it down the runway.”
— Ashley Graham [12:07] - On Representation:
“Hopefully anything and everything that I say can be that for the younger girl watching... The days I don’t want to do it, I just tell myself to get over it.”
— Ashley Graham [34:45] - On Self-Compassion:
“Thank you, body, for working. Thank you, body, for waking up.”
— Ashley Graham [32:35]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:00] – Fiction vs. Nonfiction Reading Debate
- [06:16] – Growing Confidence With Age
- [08:40] – Bra Fitting, Boob Contouring, Runway Realities
- [12:18] – Victoria’s Secret, Size Advocacy, Brand Responsibility
- [16:32] – Girl Teams, Sisterhood, and Dating Real Talk
- [19:08] – Ashley’s Personal Dating Philosophy
- [26:44] – Girls’ Girl Energy, Raising Boys
- [28:44] – Affirmations and Manifesting Confidence
- [31:05] – Body Neutrality vs. Positivity
- [33:54] – The Burden and Joy of Being a Body Positive Icon
- [41:16] – Curvy Fashion and New JCPenney Line
- [47:03] – Ashley’s Advice for Strong Women in Dating
Overall Tone
Friendly, unfiltered, supportive, and full of wit. The vibe is one of confidence-building, sisterly encouragement, and radical honesty. The group blends iconic guests with real-world, relatable talk — delivering both laughs and life lessons.
For Further Exploration
- Ashley Graham at JCPenney: Curvy-focused fashion line made for real bodies.
- Body Positivity/Neutrality: Importance of representation, self-compassion, and community.
- Sisterhood: Leaning into supportive relationships, professionally and personally.
This episode is a must-listen for fans of Ashley Graham, conversations about modern confidence and self-worth, and anyone interested in the messy, real transition from self-doubt to self-celebration.
