Sports Illustrated Swimsuit announced its cover models for their 60th anniversary of the magazine. The models, icon Kate Upton, alongside Gayle King, Hunter McGrady and Chrissy Teigen will grace the cover for the 2024 edition. The four cover models were photographed by Yu Tsai in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
“Since 1964, SI Swimsuit has set the standard for celebrating the beauty of women from all walks of life, inspiring confidence and redefining beauty norms.” a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Instagram photo caption read.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary meant the SI Swimsuit team needed to pick women who inspired in their own ways. They uphold the importance of representation and the polysemous nature of beauty.
“A 60th anniversary is a big deal. It might not be recognized as lavishly as the number that 50 is, but we felt we should wholeheartedly celebrate 60, too, for a simple reason: because the journey we’ve been on for the past 10 years is something we humbly consider to be revolutionary,” says SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ Day.
Gayle King is an authoritative voice in the journalism industry. The longtime CBS Mornings co-host radiates confidence and joy in a bathing suit and in the newsroom.
In a pink and green one piece bathing suit, the SI Swimsuit highlighted King first, saying, “Gayle represents a multifaceted woman of color, whose success, work ethic and humility impress us every day.”
Chrissy Teigen, who is now nine years with the swimsuit magazine, was highlighted next, SI Swimsuit saying, “[Teigen] has represented SI Swimsuit while simultaneously growing her own brand, forging a path to success as a best-selling author, businesswoman and TV personality.”
Teigen sports an orange one piece with cut-outs on the cover.
Plus-size beauty Hunter McGrady uses her platform to champion body positivity and inclusivity in the fashion industry, making her a star in the SI Swimsuit brand. She is sporting a beige one piece bathing suit with cut-outs. Besides being a model, McGrady is a mother and podcast host.
“Her podcast, Model Citizen, serves as a platform for candid discussions about self-love, confidence and breaking barriers,” SI Swimsuit’s Instagram page said.
Finally, one of the most iconic models in SI Swimsuit history is Kate Upton. She is sporting a red and pink bikini with striped accents. Her first cover in 2012 sparked controversy over who should be represented on the covers in the future.
“SI Swimsuit began to evolve, and with it, so did Kate. Today, she embodies more than just a supermodel: she’s also a mom, a wife, an actress, a businesswoman, a fashionista and the host of Hulu’s Dress My Tour.” SI Swimsuit’s Instagram read.
A group cover shot features the four cover models, plus Halima Aden, Lily Aldridge, Tyra Banks, Leyna Bloom, Christie Brinkley, Brenna Huckaby and Martha Stewart.
Each of these models are trailblazers in the fashion world, particularly in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and their contributions to the industry are not left forgotten as the brand looks forward to the next 10 years. The 2024 magazine hits newsstands on May 17.
First & Jenn 
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