For powerful women like Aly Raisman, 2018 is all about getting real.
The Olympic gold medalist stars in a new campaign from Aerie, American Eagle's lingerie and swim brand. The body-positive campaign focuses on "real beauty" — meaning no airbrushing or retouching.
Raisman stars alongside "Fight Song" singer Rachel Platten, actress and activist Yara Shahidi and model Iskra Lawrence in the Real Role Models campaign, which shows the women modeling the brand's spring collection of intimates and sleepwear.
During an appearance on TODAY, Platten admitted that the idea of a Photoshop-free shoot was, at first, nerve-wracking.
"I was terrified and I was uncomfortable a little bit," she said. "And I was scared that, 'What if I don't like the images?' And I honestly pulled Iskra aside halfway through the shoot and said, 'I don't know what to do. I'm feeling really insecure. And I'm here on this shoot, I'm supposed to be confident. And we had this amazing moment where she told me to love myself."
"And that's part of the #AerieReal message," Lawrence added. "Women supporting women."
Last month, Raisman wrote on Instagram that the shoot was a "dream come true."
Aerie's president said in a statement that the women were chosen for their voices and stories, and that they embody "what it means to be strong, confident and happy in your own skin."
Sure enough, the images are beautiful and the women are a perfect match for the brand, a longtime advocate for body diversity in advertising.
Raisman is no stranger to the body-positivity movement, having spoken up many times on social media about body-shaming, and participating in TODAY Style's "Why I Love My ..." series, which aims to foster self-confidence among women and girls.
A beautiful, inspiring ad campaign featuring some of our favorite women? Aerie, you've done it again!