Ashley Graham brings confidence and heart to 'Chicago' on Broadway

The supermodel, entrepreneur, and body inclusivity advocate makes her stage debut in the musical's leading role of Roxie Hart through May 25 only.

"There has always been this performer in me," said Ashley Graham. Despite not being primarily known as an actor, performance is innate to Graham's wide-ranging career as a trailblazing supermodel (the first curvy model on a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover), TV personality (on shows like America's Next Top Model and Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge), and body positivity advocate and public speaker (of a TEDx talk viewed over 4.3 million times).

But Broadway has always been a "North Star" dream, Graham said, and she's now making her debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago from April 15 to May 25.

"I'm going from zero to 100, and I couldn't be more ecstatic about it," Graham said.

Graham is the latest in a long line of celebs — including other models like Pamela Anderson and Christie Brinkley — to play Roxie. The character's thwarted ambitions to be a vaudeville star lead her to murder, and then to manipulate the public to get free and finally gain celebrity. What Graham taps into is that Roxie, crooked as her methods may be, always takes her future in her own hands.

"One of the things [I] felt like Roxie and I [...] had in common was how many times she was told no," Graham said. "In my career as a model, I've been told no 100 times, whether it's because of my size or because of what the fashion industry deems as beautiful."

That's not the only theme Graham is taking from her other career ventures onto the Ambassador Theatre stage. She spoke with New York Theatre Guide about everything that's brought her to her Broadway debut.

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Did you seek out Chicago for your Broadway debut?

I honestly didn't put any forethought into what show it was going to be, but I knew, because there was a performer in me, that Broadway would be something that would be so much fun to do. Even if I was just an extra, I would have probably just been really excited. But then the opportunity for Chicago came along this year, and I thought, "Well, let me just go try and see what happens." And next thing you know, she's Roxie Hart.

I wrote [being on Broadway] down on my vision board, and I called my agent five years later, and here we are!

What skills from your other career ventures — modeling, advocacy, entrepreneurship — are you drawing on to play this role?

The biggest thing I always go back to is the confidence. Being able to have confidence in who you are and your talent as-is is something you have to bring into modeling, bring into hosting, and now bring onto the stage.

Broadway does require a few more attributes besides just confidence. I've been in some grueling rehearsals, anywhere between five- to eight-hour days, six days a week. I'm putting the time and effort in.

As a body positivity advocate, what does it mean to you to be a curvy woman on stage in a lead role?

When I tried out for this role, I didn't really take into consideration that [Roxie] probably hadn't been played by an ultra-curvy girl. To now be her and have Roxie be this curvy, voluptuous lady has been really fun. I hope more shows and more films — and across the board — put curvy women as a leading lady.

How would you describe the experience of watching Chicago as an audience member?

Seeing Chicago specifically with different Roxies has been so eye-opening. Everybody keeps saying, "Just be yourself. Just be the Roxie you want to be." What does that mean?

But when you actually understand Roxie, you understand she is in a little bit of every one of us who's a go-getter, who doesn't want to have "no" be the final answer. And she's never the victim. She's always the one who's coming in with her head held high, making her own rules.

Who did you see as Roxie?

I've seen it [with] three different Roxies. I saw Ariana [Madix] and I saw Erika [Jayne]. Ariana and I have been commenting back and forth, like, "You're amazing, girl!"

The current Roxie, her name is Dylis [Croman]. Dylis studied under Ann Reinking, and as you know, Anne and Bob Fosse created Chicago. She has even said Ann told her Roxie is quirky, fun, she's a go-getter. She's somebody who steps outside the comfort zone and makes you feel like, "I can have any of this."

What was your first experience with Broadway?

My first Broadway show ever was Les Mis. Iconic, obviously. I started modeling when I was 12. We started traveling to New York from Nebraska when I was about 15. My mom and dad wanted me to be immersed in New York culture, and Broadway is that.

At a young age, I saw Avenue Q, I saw Cats, I saw Rent, the iconic shows. Now it's a fun date night for my husband and I too. Theatre has always been something I've found very joyous.

What do you hope audiences take away from your performance?

When I'm hanging up there on that ladder singing "Funny Honey," I hope they appreciate how much work went into each one of these steps. No, honestly, I just want everybody to have fun when they come because that's what I'm going to be doing.

I've walked into this experience with open arms and very vulnerable, but also very excited to learn something new. This is a whole new world for me and something I am taking in because, I don't know, I may never do this again. But maybe I will. Maybe that's it. Maybe it's just Broadway from here on out — Broadway or bust, baby!

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This interview has been condensed and edited for length and clarity.

Top image credit: Ashley Graham for Chicago. (Photo by Emilio Madrid)
In-article image credit: Ashley Graham. (Photo courtesy of production)