• Supermodel turned businesswoman Ashley Graham spoke at Business Insider's The Long Play on Thursday.
• Graham has invested in startups and launched her own ventures, including Lucci sparkling wine.
• She said that raising money for the alcohol brand was "very, very hard and humbling."

Ten years after making history as the first plus-size model on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Ashley Graham has built a business portfolio spanning skincare and clothing to baby care and alcohol.

The 38-year-old supermodel turned businesswoman spoke at Business Insider's The Long Play event in New York City on Thursday to discuss her breaking barriers in fashion and navigating the difficult world of investment and entrepreneurship.

"I realized quickly that my body is my business," she told Business Insider's Leena Rao. "So how can I scale this?"

That crossover appeal has helped her build a massive social media audience — nearly 30 million followers across platforms — with whom she connects and brings along as she expands her ventures.

Among her latest projects is Lucci, a sparkling Italian Lambrusco wine brand she co-founded in February. Graham said Lucci was started from the ground up and was the first time she had to ask investors to come in.

"Asking people for money is very, very hard, and humbling," she said, adding later that it's been a "great learning curve" as it was the first time she had to answer to investors for the 'why' behind decisions.

From swimsuit model to leading a brand empire

In 2016, Graham appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit issue, becoming the first plus-size model to do so.

The following year, she was named one of TIME's most influential people of the year, had a Barbie doll modeled after her, and released her first book, "A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like."

Forbes listed her as one of the highest-paid models in 2017, with an estimated income of $5.5 million; she was the first plus-size model to break the top 10. Her namesake JCPenney collection, which launched in October 2025, is made exclusively for customers who wear size 14 and up.

Building beyond the runway

After the SI cover launched her to international fame, Graham said she monetized on the viral moment by releasing swimsuit and lingerie lines. Today, she still regularly releases collaborations with intimate brands like Knix, for which she serves as Global Ambassador and investor.

"When your body is your brand, you're always talking about it," she said.

She's also become an investor: Graham has backed the period-care brand Rif Care, the infant-formula company Bobbie, and the sustainable skincare brand Fig.1 Beauty. In 2022, she joined Fig.1 as both an investor and a partner, saying she wanted involvement beyond a typical celebrity endorsement.

As the years have passed, Graham said she's learned from past mistakes, learned how to say no, and has leaned into being very intentional about building teams around her that she can trust.

Graham also said she was surprised by "just how ruthless [VC] can be," as well as by how much success there can be.

Her most recent exit as an investor was with Wonderbelly, a clean antacid startup, which was acquired by Procter & Gamble in January.

Balancing a business with raising 3 children

Graham has managed to balance that growing career with motherhood. She and her husband Justin Ervin, whom she wed in 2010, welcomed their first child in 2020, followed by twin boys in 2022.

In 2024, she walked the Victoria's Secret runway for the first time. In making the decision to join the fashion show, she said she asked the company about its plans to expand its size range.

"I don't want to just come on as a token," she said. "I don't want to be the one-trick pony."

During the years she was having her children, she said, her investments also took on a family focus, leaning into brands she "felt like they were in [her] zeitgeist at the moment," including babycare and women-led brands. Now, her businesses are growing with her kids.

At Business Insider's event, she teased about her next business venture launching next summer: A home company partly inspired by her children.

• Kelly Clarkson made history when she won "American Idol" in 2002.
• Since then, America has watched her fashion journey unfold on red carpets and TV shows.
• She's worn punk-rock looks, glamorous red-carpet gowns, and fun minidresses.

Kelly Clarkson is a national icon.

After winning "American Idol" in 2002, she's remained a household name through her music, children's books, and TV roles. She was also involved in public drama this year when she started feuding with a Brooklyn toy store.

No matter the occasion, though, Clarkson has stood out onstage and across red carpets with her ever-evolving style.

Here's a look at how her fashion has changed over the years.

Kelly Clarkson was the ultimate girl next door when she became a household name in 2002.

After winning "American Idol," she wore one of her most memorable looks to date at the "Swimfan" premiere.

It included a strapless tie-dye dress over bootcut jeans and platform sandals. Clarkson also sported a statement pendant and a red newsboy cap.

She embraced little black dresses throughout 2003.

Clarkson wore various versions of the fashion staple that year, including at the Billboard Music Awards.

Her strapless dress that night had a knee-length skirt, a bustier bodice, and all-over ruching. She wore it with pointed pumps and long diamond earrings.

And she showed her feminine side in 2004.

At the 2004 American Music Awards, Clarkson walked the red carpet wearing a floor-length gown with satin detailing.

She accessorized the red ensemble with gold sandals and matching earrings, and completed the look with an updo hairstyle.

The next year was defined by punk-rock outfits.

For most of her performances in 2005, Clarkson appeared onstage in torn band T-shirts, low-rise jeans, and either sandals or sneakers.

She wore a version of that exact outfit — a Rolling Stones top, low-rise pants, and a studded belt — to perform at the 2005 Wango Tango concert.

She mixed her edgy and glamorous styles in 2006.

For the 2006 Grammy Awards, Clarkson stunned in a black Max Azria gown.

The strapless piece had a form-fitting bodice and full, ruffled skirt, which added unique texture and mirrored the wavy style of her hair.

Normally a fan of gowns, Clarkson began experimenting with minidresses in 2007.

She attended the ASCAP Pop Music Awards that year in an olive-toned shift dress with a beaded neckline and bubble skirt.

Clarkson also debuted a new bob hairstyle that night and accessorized with a silver bracelet and sandals.

The musician sparkled throughout 2009 and the early 2010s.

At the 2009 American Music Awards, Clarkson walked the red carpet in a sleeveless CD Greene design.

The knee-length dress had clusters of silver sequins at the top and more embellishments cascading down its bodice and skirt.

She wore the garment with fishnet tights, black pumps, and a crimped red hairstyle.

Clarkson returned to her rock roots in 2012.

At concerts that year, Clarkson performed while wearing band T-shirts and skinny jeans.

For a show in Birmingham, for example, she hit the stage in black denim, a ripped UFO concert tee, and a sparkling vest.

She wore a ton of red throughout 2013.

Clarkson especially seemed to favor the color while promoting her Christmas album "Wrapped in Red."

She wore it during a visit to the SiriusXM Studios via a plaid dress with zipper detailing, a cropped sweater, and studded sandal heels.

By 2015, Clarkson's fashion was full of bold prints.

During another visit to the SiriusXM Studios, she wore a music-inspired outfit that included a knee-length skirt printed with images of vinyl records.

She also wore gold sandals and a yellow T-shirt that said New York City.

Clarkson opted for chic looks in 2016.

Her office-ready style included black minidresses, sheer tights, and pointed pumps — just like she wore to appear on "Extra" that year.

Clarkson was also sporting blonde hair in loose waves at that point.

By 2019, Clarkson was having more fun with her red-carpet outfits.

At the "UglyDolls" premiere, Clarkson walked the orange carpet in a hot-pink gown designed by Christian Siriano. It had a floor-length skirt with a short train and giant, puffy sleeves.

The outfit was likely inspired by Moxy, the pink "UglyDolls" character that Clarkson voiced for the film.

In the 2020s, Clarkson has seemingly found her signature style: a mix of glamour and rock 'n' roll.

She attended the 2020 Billboard Music Awards in an outfit that perfectly embodied that style.

Balmain designed her silver gown, which had large shoulder pads and fringe hanging from its skirt and sleeves.

She's not afraid to experiment with daring looks.

In 2023, Clarkson performed in a series of bold outfits — including the lace jumpsuit she sported at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.

She wore the see-through garment under a blazer styled as a dress, and thigh-high leather boots.

Minidresses and metallics have become signature parts of her wardrobe.

Clarkson attended the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in a Rebecca Vallance minidress.

The long-sleeve piece was black with a sheer waist panel and metallic sequin embellishments all over.

She wore it with black sandal heels and her new wavy hairstyle with bangs.

So have glamorous gowns.

When Clarkson performed her Las Vegas residency in 2025, she wore a tan gown covered in sparkles and feathers.

It hugged her body from her shoulders to her knees, where the gown was made of mesh and embellished with silver sequins.

Its sleeves and skirt were more dramatic. They puffed out and were covered in rows of feathers, which added texture and shape to the look.

Today, Clarkson's style is simple but elevated.

Before "The Kelly Clarkson Show" ended in August 2026, Clarkson appeared in a multitude of chic outfits.

One of them was a sheer black gown with a plaid pattern. It revealed the bralette and miniskirt she wore beneath the floor-length piece.

She completed the outfit with neutral makeup and a wavy hairstyle.

• The cast of "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" attended a UK fan screening on Wednesday.
• Some of the cast wore eye-catching outfits that nodded to their "Hunger Games" characters.
• Others wore looks that fell flat with mismatched accessories.

The countdown to the premiere of "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" is on.

The hotly anticipated adaptation of Suzanne Collins' fifth "Hunger Games" novel, which follows Haymitch Abernathy's experience in the 50th Hunger Games, officially hits movie theaters on November 20, 2026. However, on Wednesday, much of the cast gathered for an advanced fan screening of the film in London.

Everyone was dressed to the nines for the premiere, and some cast members wore outfits that celebrated the characters they played in the movie or aspects of the larger "Hunger Games" universe. Some outfits were more successful than others, though.

Take a look at the best and worst looks the "Sunrise on the Reaping" cast wore to the screening.

Elle Fanning's pink gown was full of whimsy.

Fanning portrays a young Effie Trinket in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," a character known for her outlandish outfits and dramatic head accessories.

Fanning perfectly paid tribute to Effie's style with her Robert Wun ensemble. Her ballerina-pink dress had a strapless neckline, with a second bodice floating around her torso and ending in a ruffled peplum for a high-fashion flair. A full tulle skirt flowed to her ankles, showing off her coordinating pumps.

The showstopping element of Fanning's look, though, was her music-box-inspired headpiece, which featured a ballerina that spun as she walked the red carpet. Cartier jewelry completed the look.

Kieran Culkin's jacket was fun, but the overall outfit would have been better with a few tweaks.

Like Fanning, Culkin nodded to his "Sunrise on the Reaping" character with his red-carpet look, wearing a black jacket with sparkly embroidery that would be right up his character Caesar Flickerman's alley.

However, he paired the look with simple black trousers and a blue button-down, which didn't suit the jacket's glamorous vibe. A more dramatic shirt and bold accessories would have elevated the outfit.

Joseph Zada looked effortlessly cool in his oversize suit.

Zada stars as Haymitch Abernathy in the film, and though he didn't nod to his character with his red-carpet outfit, he did look every bit the leading man.

Gucci designed Zada's suit, which included an oversize charcoal jacket and wide-legged pinstripe trousers. He wore a light-blue shirt under the jacket, a thin tie, and an off-center belt.

Statement sunglasses added a chic touch to the look.

Glenn Close's accessories took away from her dress.

Simone Rocha designed the green gown that Close, who plays handler Drusilla Sickle in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," wore to the premiere.

The moss-green dress had a high, boat-neck neckline and flowed into a sheath before cinching at the knee with bow-shaped ruching. The full skirt then flowed to the floor in a subtle pleated pattern.

The dress was a statement in and of itself, but Close then added black leather gloves and a black cane to the look. Ditching the gloves or choosing a matching pair would have been better.

Mckenna Grace brilliantly brought the arena to life with her glittering gown.

Grace, who plays Maysilee Donner, has been having fun paying homage to "The Hunger Games" franchise with her red-carpet looks while promoting the film, and the fan screening was no exception.

She arrived in an Almée Couture gown covered in colorful sparkles that seemed to depict the arena landscape where Haymitch, Maysilee, and the other tributes compete during the 50th Hunger Games.

The sky was depicted on the top of the bodice, which had spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline, while a mountain range and a grassy field sat on her hips. Three-dimensional flowers sat at the bottom of the field, separating the bodice from the skirt, which flowed from her knee in sparkly, taupe fabric.

The details on the dress took it to the next level. There's even a small structure in the center of the field that appears to be the cornucopia that tributes rely on during the Hunger Games.

Serafin Mishiev's denim look didn't quite work.

Mishiev, who plays Woodbine Chance in the film, chose a denim look for the screening.

He wore a white long-sleeved top with a chambray shirt over it, which was unbuttoned at the top and tucked into his pants. His pants were made of a darker denim, and he paired the look with a black belt and brown shoes.

It wasn't immediately clear how Mishiev's look might relate to his "Hunger Games" character, though it does somewhat resemble the outfits miners wear at work in District 12. Either way, it wasn't the best choice for the red carpet. The outfit may have worked better if he had worn the same shade of denim in both pieces and hadn't mixed colors with his accessories.

Whitney Peak's colorful dress offered a fun homage to the Covey family.

Peak attended the screening in a Chanel gown. The high-neck dress was covered in a collage of differently colored and textured fabrics, with black, green, yellow, and pink blending together. The black faded toward the length of the bodice, while the tulle skirt was in pastel hues only.

The high-fashion dress was pretty in its own right, but it also subtly nodded to Peak's "Sunrise on the Reaping" character, Lenore Dove Baird. In "The Hunger Games," Lenore is related to Lucy Gray Baird, the tribute from District 12 who wins the 10th Hunger Games, as depicted in "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes."

When she is reaped for the Games, Lucy wears "a dress made of a rainbow of ruffles, now raggedy but once fancy." Peak's gown seems like a high-fashion take on Lucy Gray's dress, connecting her character to the larger "Hunger Games" universe.

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Freezing temperatures don’t have to mean dowdy dressing

Upgrade your fall and winter wardrobe with Levi's fall sale. When you buy two or more items from the site, you'll get 30% off sitewide, automatically applied at checkout. Whether you need a new pair of jeans, a warm jacket or a basic tee, you'll find a new wardrobe staple below.

501 Curve women's jeans: $77 (30% off)

Original price: $110

Levi's Curve jeans are made for a curvier body type and eliminate a pesky waist gap. The straight leg design is flattering for dressing up or down.

559 relaxed straight men's jeans: $53 (30% off)

Original price: $75

Levi's 559 relaxed men's jeans are designed to be extremely comfortable for all-day wear with a hint of stretch all over. The pants have extra room in the thighs and a sleek, straight leg.

Corduroy Sherpa trucker jacket: $91 (30% off)

Original price: $130

Levi's original trucker jacket gets an upgrade for fall and winter with this Sherpa version. The jacket has a warm Sherpa lining and a soft quilting in the sleeves to keep you cozy all season long.

Red Tab relaxed long-sleeve thermal: $34 (31% off)

Original price: $49

This simple thermal is the key to staying warm this fall and winter. It's made of heavyweight cotton and has a relaxed fit that you can layer under a jacket or over a T-shirt on chilly days.

Wedgie bootcut women's jeans: $77 (30% off)

Original price: $110

The ultimate flattering jeans, the wedgie bootcut gives you a lift while shaping your waist and thighs. The classic style widens at the knee. Choose from six attractive washes, including black and brown.

Barstow standard Western flannel shirt: $56 (30% off)

Original price: $80

A flannel is a fall fashion staple. This one is inspired by Western wear with a curved hem and snap button pocket. The cotton flannel is soft, but structured to wear buttoned up or open over a T-shirt.

Favorite short-sleeve tee: $21 (30% off)

Original price: $30

During this sale, grab some wardrobe staples, like this short-sleeved tee. It's made from soft cotton and has an oversized fit. Go down a size if you prefer a fitted tee.

505 regular men's jeans: $53 (30% off)

Original price: $75

These men's jeans are Levi's original zip-fly jeans, created in 1967. They're the epitome of a "classic jean" that goes with anything. Choose from nearly 30 washes and even customize how stretchy you want your jeans for the most comfortable fit possible.

Heritage Western button-down shirt: $56 (30% off)

Original price: $80

This classic denim shirt features subtle Western details and can be worn buttoned up or closed. It comes in four denim washes and black.

Men's garment dye trucker jacket: $77 (30% off)

Original price: $110

This versatile denim jacket is a perfect weight to accommodate changing temperatures. It's crafted with soft cotton, a pointed collar and iconic "V" stitching. Size up for an oversized look.

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501 '90s ankle women's jeans: $77 (30% off)

Original price: $110

Travel back in time to the '90s with Levi's iconic ankle jeans. They have a loose fit through the hips and thighs. There's a bit of bagginess in the legs, stopping at the ankle, but don't mistake these for sloppy. You'll look put together while still feeling comfortable all day.