The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue dropped this week. Long considered a piece of male pop culture Americana it is being released at a most delicate time in our society. In the midst of the #MeToo Movement, along with the increased calls for diversity in media (both justified causes btw), how would SI handle the task of presenting scantily women frolicking along beaches? It definitely seemed to take the bull by the horns, by including the likes of Aly Raisman, Paralympian snowboarder Brenna Huckaby and presenting a cover girl that people of color could also consider the girl next door. Check out some the noteworthy additions to this year’s issue.
Danielle Herrington
Who Is She: The 24-year old model is this year’s cover girl. She’s been modeling since the age of 13 and has graced the pages of Victoria’s Secret and GQ. Was even named Rookie of the Year in SI along with Chrissy Teigen.
Where She’s From: This woman hails from Compton U.S.A. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thoughts on Being an SI Swimsuit Model: She told ABC News, “I remember watching on ‘The Tyra Banks Show,’ she said, she was the first black woman to cover Sports Illustrated. I just always aspired to be like her and follow in her footsteps.”
Lais Ribeiro
Who Is She: If you think you’ve seen her before your right. She’s only a world famous super model who graced the pages of SI in 2017 and consistently walks runways across the globe. Oh yes, she’s a futbol fan too!! Gotta love that.
Where She’s From: Ribeiro is from Brazil. Doesn’t it all makes sense now.
Thoughts on Being an SI Swimsuit Model: Gracious as always, but you have to think its old hat for her.
Anne de Paula
Who Is She: The rising star, has been working in the industry since she was 14 and originally wanted to be a gynecologist, Anne was picked by online voters as the winner of Sports Illustrated’s Model Search competition, which propels its winners straight into the ‘rookie’ section of the magazine.
Where She’s From: Another lovely Latina from Brazil.
Thoughts on Being an SI Swimsuit Model: She literally broke down in tears on the air, when she was told that she won the model search and would be in the 2018 issue. “It means a lot to me coming from Brazil, it was so hard coming from another country. It’s a dream come true.”
Raven Lyn
Who Is She: This is not her first rodeo as they say. This L.A. based model counts among her recent projects campaigns with Pharrell and G-Star RAW, Nike and a Snakehips music video with Zayn Malik.
Where She’s From: She hails from the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota. But told GQ she’d love to go to Cuba. We knew there was a reason we fell in love with her.
Thoughts on Being an SI Swimsuit Model: As she shared on her Instagram page, “‘What a dream,’ she ‘Thank you so much to my @si_swimsuit family @mj_day @yutsai88 @jrugg8 @tracymurphymua such an honor to be a part of such a strong group of women #dreamsdocometrue.'”
Ebonee Davis
Who Is She: Not just another pretty face, this woman passionate about social issues and an activist. Sure, she’s graced the covers of magazines such as Glamour and Teen Vogue to name a few, but she’s also an advocate for change in the fashion world. Seeking to help create more authentic opportunities for women of color. Davis expressed her first-hand experiences of exclusion and systemic bias in her open letter to the fashion industry published by Harper’s Bazaar in 2016. As a result of her courage to speak out, Ebonee was invited to give a TED Talk at the University of Nevada entitled “Black Girl Magic in the Fashion Industry”.
Where She’s From: Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Davis now calls Brooklyn, New York her home where she hangs her hat while on the modeling grind.
Thoughts on Being an SI Swimsuit Model: Ebony expressed her thoughts in a more visual manner. To see what we mean, just take a gander below.
Jasmyn Wilkins
Who Is She: Ms. Wilkins is no stranger to modeling as she was a runner up in the Miss USA pageant, nor is she a stranger to the world of sports. You see, Jasmyn is the niece of Atlanta Hawks great Dominique Wilkins, the daughter of former New York Knick Gerald Wilkins (talk about basketball royalty). Seems like she was tailor made for Sports Illustrated.
Where She’s From: She was Ms. Georgia, so that should say it all.
Thoughts on Being an SI Swimsuit Model: The impact of all the women of color featured in this year’s magazine was not lost on her, as in a thank you Instagram post she said “This milestone in my career has been an absolute dream come true and I’ve worked so hard to get here. Also, MAJOR congratulations in order to the stunning cover model @danielle_herrington_ who is representing SI and especially all women of color so beautifully 💪🏾❤”