Model Tess Holliday continues to create a conversation about body image. She sparked nationwide support after appearing on the cover of People magazine last year, but how much has actually changed since then? Are we any closer to accepting and creating a more positive body image for women?

“There’s more conversation around body positivity and accepting people for who they are, so I think things are changing,” Holliday says. “I had quite a few celebs reach out to me: Ricki Lake, Amber Riley, Mia Tyler. It was really nice to see the unity in people saying they appreciate seeing something like that.”

Although change is on it’s way, it’s still very slow in filtering through our mainstream media. Critics came out again in full force after Holliday posted a pregnancy photo of herself in which she is nearly nude holding a white sheet  across her chest.

“I really don’t care if people think I’m unhealthy,” Holliday says. “I feel like it’s so clear. Our bodies are our business, and it’s OK to be who you want to be, and I think most people get that.”

Holliday says the nude photo was her way of “fighting back.”

‘Just because we’re plus size, doesn’t mean we have to prove that we’re healthy, just as someone who is smaller than us or average size doesn’t have to prove they are healthy. We should be able to exist in our bodies. I am technically healthy but my body is no more valid than someone’s who isn’t.” Shot by @alexcayleystudio for @telegraph out now ? I was 7 months pregnant in these photos & loved every moment ?? Grab your copy or check it is online ?? #effyourbeautystandards

A photo posted by Plus Model | Mom | Feminist? (@tessholliday) on May 14, 2016 at 7:21am PDT

“The more they don’t want to see things like that or are criticizing my body, the more I want to do it,” she says. “Since you are complaining about my covered-up photo, I am going to give you a nude photo to make you even angrier.”

“What I want to say to you is that when people told me I couldn’t model, I would always think, I’ve literally had some of the shittiest things happen to me and survived them, so me being a model is not the most ridiculous thing that I have had happen to me. I’ve never taken no for an answer.” Another photo from my @telegraph shoot shot by @alexcayleystudio in NYC when I was 7 mos pregnant last month ???? hair by @elsahair mua @quinnmurphy1 #effyourbeautystandards

Holliday is seven months pregnant in these photos, which were part of a photo shoot for The Telegraph. Holliday went on to say that although she is big, she is healthy and her doctor is happy with her progress so far in the pregnancy. Her baby is due in a few weeks.

“I literally saw my OB/GYN yesterday and everything’s fine,” Holliday says. “He’s happy. Everything’s fine and I’m fine.”

This will be Holliday’s second child, but her first baby with her Australian fiance Nick Holliday.  The 30 year old model, already has a son, 10-year-old Rylee, with an ex-partner, whom she gave birth to when she was just 20.