Tyra Banks has long been an advocate of beauty of all shapes and sizes. Today is no exception. The America's Next Top Model host recently spoke to Huffington Post about her long-standing battle against fat-shaming, starting with her refusal to use the term 'plus size' to refer to women who wear US size 12 and above.

"I don't like the label 'plus-size' -- I call it 'fiercely real,'' Banks said.

"I don't want to use the term 'plus-size,' because, to me, what the hell is that? It just doesn't have a positive connotation to it. I tend to not use it," she added.

True to her word, the top model uses the term 'fiercely real,' and even declared one a top model in the past in the form of Whitney Thompson during Cycle 10 in 2008. Two years later, Tyra launched Fiercely Real Model Search dedicated to 'fiercely real' teenage models. Jakaliene Rivera was declared the winner of the model search.

Banks said in the Fiercely Real Model Search, "We just need to make sure it's not a trend and that it's something that's normal, because this stuff comes in waves and it would be nice to see it become constant."

In an interview with Us Magazine that year, Tyra explained why she started the new concept for the televised model search which she pioneered.

"I want young girls to realize that what's considered plus-size is the average American woman," Banks noted.

"That woman is healthy, fit and beautiful. Adolescence is such an impressionable time in a young woman's life, and I hope this contest helps teen girls discover their own beauty from the inside out."

Banks also disclosed to Us the reason she has been rallying for positive body image.

"I've always felt it was my mission to expand the narrow perceptions of beauty," she said.

"Through America's Next Top Model, True Beauty and The Tyra Show, I challenge the industry and universal standards by featuring and celebrating non-traditional beauty, and stressing that true beauty is both inside and out."