Ashley Graham is just fine with her size 14 curves. The rest of the world? That's not always the case.

The supermodel's weight, and size, are a common topic in social media circles focused on the fashion world. Sometimes they say she's too big, sometimes they say she's too curvy.

And sometimes, Graham responds to the criticism, including the recent claim that she lost too much weight after she posted a photo of herself in a bikini appearing much slimmer.

Graham snapped back, saying it was an illusion. (Aren't angles everything in selfies?)

"The reality is I haven't lost a pound this year," she wrote on Instagram. "In fact, I'm actually heavier than I was three years ago, but I accept my body as it is today. … To some I'm too curvy. To others I'm too tall, too busty, too loud, and, now, too small."

The 29-year-old Nebraska native, who in 2016 became the first full-figured model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, talks about her body insecurities in a new book, "A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty and Power Really Look Like" (Dey Street Books). Graham recently was in Houston for a book signing at Barnes & Noble.

"I'm not one to worry if I lose weight, or if I can't lose weight, will people still like me - because I don't care," Graham said during an interview. "I think that's where we really need to get in this conversation about body image and body activism and changing the way women look at themselves and the women around them. Because if we're always going to base a woman's worth on the size number in her pants, we really are not evolving as humans."

Graham started modeling professionally during her early teens, after being discovered at a shopping mall. She since has graced the covers of Cosmopolitan and British Vogue. Her Ashley Graham Lingerie Collection is available at Nordstrom, Dillard's and other retailers, and she has a collection of dresses at Dress Barn.

Her weight, she said, wasn't an issue until she moved to New York at age 17 and gained nearly 30 pounds. That's when modeling agents asked her to lose weight, saying if she dropped the pounds, she'd make more money.

"I'm the kind of girl that, if you tell me to lose weight, I'll gain it," Graham said. "I'm also the kind of girl that, if I look at carbs, they just go straight to my hips. I never lost the weight, and I never stopped working. In fact, my work only increased."

But Graham says she wasn't in a good place with her life choices at the time, like dating the wrong men, eating all of the wrong kinds of foods and even abusing drugs and alcohol.

"One day, I hit rock bottom out of the blue. It was a bad boyfriend, a cycle of bad friends, one thing after another and little moments like that over the course of time that brought me back to my confidence."

Her confidence is the one thing she gets asked about more than anything.

"Everyone wants to know where I get my confidence from. There's not just one story you can tell and not just one pill you can take. It is truly stories, memories and actions and being willing to change your own destiny and life."

Graham shared more about her favorite photo shoots, body part and her advice for young girls.

Q: Why is the industry so slow to embrace more fashion for larger women?

A: That's the ongoing question. There will never be a definitive answer. In some areas of the industry, designers don't want to spend the money to make the clothes. But then again, there are a lot of designers who are making clothes up to size 20 and 24, but store buyers aren't buying it because they don't believe the curvy girl will come in and buy it. They think she doesn't want to go shopping in a store. There is also a lack of education for the customer because she doesn't know where to go. It's not easy for a woman to get what she wants once she's above a size 12. It's a vicious cycle, and I'm curious how it's going to stop.

Q: What do you tell curvy young girls then?

A: You are not alone, and just because you don't see anyone in the media who looks like you, acts like you and talks like you doesn't mean there isn't a role model out there for you. I had to come out and talk about my cellulite, back fat and flaws because I know there are so many young girls who are suffering, and I want them to know they are not alone. They shouldn't feel ugly and worthless because of what society says. If you really take a moment to look in the mirror, talk to your body and say, "You are worthy," then your whole attitude changes.

Q: Did confidence help in dating?

A: I was dating guys back in the day because I needed affirmation. Now I have a husband (cinematographer Justin Ervin). We waited until we were married to have sex. I can truly say our communication is better than I've had with any man.

Q: Do you ever have body issues now?

A: I talk in the book a lot about my FOMO (fear of missing out) issues. It's an ongoing conversation I have with myself. Food is satisfying for me and is also something that makes me feel good, but I know I have to do it in moderation. I also know working out is something I love doing, and it makes me feel great. I'm a girl on the go, so I'm always asking myself if I'm taking care of myself. It never goes away.

Q: What have you learned about fashion and clothing in your career?

A: There is still this lack of amazing, cool clothes for curvy girls, and I need to come in and make them.

Q: So when will your curvy-clothing line it stores?

A: Hopefully soon. I'm in the process now. I already have a great swimsuit and lingerie line and a line of dresses at Dress Barn.

Q: Most confident photo shoot?

A: You are talking to a very confident girl. I've had a lot of photo shoots where I've felt really confident. My first Sports Illustrated where I got on the cover stands out because I knew that it was such a big deal. I knew it was going to be groundbreaking to even be in the magazine.

Q: Best thing about being a curvy woman?

A: That your body is so sexy.

Q: Favorite part of your own body?

A: My hourglass shape.

Q: Favorite type of dress?

A: I love body-con dresses with or without a sleeve, high neck or deep V that hits at the knee.

Q: What brings you joy?

A: My husband and family and being able to tell my real-deal story and not hold back. When you don't give your true authentic self, it means you're hiding, and that's not joy.