Sports Illustrated has just revealed the cover star for it’s 2016 swimsuit issue — actually, this year, they’ve crowned three.
It’s the first time, in more than 50 years, that the magazine has multiple cover models, but more than that, it’s also the first time a plus-sized woman has been featured on the front page.
That woman is 28-year-old Ashley Graham, a size 16 model and outspoken advocate for body positivity.
If you don’t know her, you can check out this clip from her 2015 Tedx Talk.
Graham posted a snap of the cover on her Instagram, saying she was “truly speechless”.
“This cover is for every woman who felt like she wasn’t beautiful enough because of her size,” she wrote.
“You can do and achieve anything you put your mind to.”
By having multiple covers, the magazine is hoping to represent three different body types, with Graham joining American model Hailey Clauson and UFC fighter Ronda Rousey.
It might not seem like a big deal, but this small celebration of diversity is pretty revolutionary for Sports Illustrated.
“Every single woman that is booked for this magazine is cover worthy,” Assistant Managing Editor MJ Day explained.
“All three women are beautiful, sexy and strong. Beauty is not cookie cutter. Beauty is not ‘one size fits all.’ Beauty is all around us and that became especially obvious to me while shooting and editing this year’s issue.”
You can check out the three women and their three covers below.
Instagram
Top Comments
And that is "plus-sized"? Alright her breasts may be a bit "plus-sized", but come on (especially) people in the fashion world, get real! She is just about average-sized from what I can see! Well done (finally!) for Sports Illustrated--what has a bikini clad female have to do with "sports" is a bit beyond me--having a "real woman" on the cover!
Don't you mean "real women?" - the whole idea behind the multiple covers was to represent different shapes and ideals of what women look like. Calling only the "plus sized" model a real woman discriminates against the others, although I'm sure that wasn't your intention, right?
Looks "plus" to me, look at the size of her thighs!
yeah and all that matters is that their beautiful, right? not that rousey is a once-in-a-generation sports legend, or that graham is a fierce campaigner for body image (dunno about the other chick). photograph em in bikins and say hey ladeez you all beautiful but don't make any other smart moves. that magazine is bullshit.