- Tyra Banks, 45, joins World Champion soccer player Alex Morgan and model Camille Kostek as the cover stars of Sports illustrated Swimsuit 2019 issue.
- The supermodel made history as the first black women to cover SI Swimsuit in 1996.
- More than two decades later, Banks and 33 other women star in the "Shattering Perceptions" issue that focuses on inclusivity, body positivity, and female empowerment.
Twenty-three years after her first cover on Sports illustrated, Tyra Banks, 45, graces the cover again in the latest "Shattering Perceptions," which focuses on inclusivity, body positivity, and female empowerment. The supermodel, TV personality, activist, and entrepreneur made history as the first black women to cover SI Swimsuit back in 1996.
“My first one was 23 years ago, how crazy is that,” Banks told Good Morning America. “I’m like damn—I’m 45 dog!” But judging by the covers, Banks hasn't aged a minute since then.
This Sports Illustrated cover marks the third for Banks, who first appeared on SI Swimsuit with model Valeria Mazza, and then again 1997, where she landed a solo cover.
“Since Tyra’s first cover in 1996, she’s transformed herself into nothing less than a mogul, a cultural force and a supernova of inspiration and empowerment,” SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day said in a statement. “She’s kind of the Swimsuit Issue ethos come to life, everything we know this franchise can be.”
For this year's cover, Banks recreated her first look: a sultry smile while donning a scantily clad bikini. “We couldn’t find the exact one in the archives—it was the polka dot bikini so we recreated that bikini,” the supermodel said on GMA. “I recreated it [the shoot]—25 pounds heavier.”
Sporting a yellow Andi Bagus string bikini, Banks joins USA National Women’s Soccer player and Olympic Medalist Alex Morgan and Camille Kostek, SI Swimsuit model search winner and 2019 SI Swimsuit rookie, as the cover stars of the 2019 issue.
Banks on body image and inclusivity
With this year's issue focusing on female empowerment, inclusivity, and “redefining the cultural conversation around beauty," the SI Swimsuit issue also features a group of 34 diverse women, including Muslim model Halima Aden, Winnie Harlow, Lindsey Vonn, and Simone Biles.
“The three women that make up the covers of the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue represent the brand in the most powerful way possible,” Day said. “While each individual woman is so unique, they come together cohesively to tell a spectacular story.”
Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss
Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss
Banks, a long-time advocate for body image and inclusivity in the modeling industry, seems like the perfect fit to grace the 2019 cover. Twelve years ago, the supermodel famously told paparazzi to “Kiss my fat a--,” after being photographed on vacation. She's been outspoken about having a positive body image since.
In a 2018 memoir, Perfect Is Boring, which she wrote with her mother Carolyn London, Banks opened up about the challenge of trying to be a role model for body image. “I used to feel like my body was not mine,” Banks told People last March. “I’ve been too thin or too big. And I used to feel like I was betraying people if I lost weight.”
“I’m happy that the fashion industry is finally catching up,” Banks adds. “What I’m hoping for is that the Ashley Graham's, the Gigi Hadid’s, everyone is just models. Not plus, not short, not trans, not curvy. I just want it to be normal.”
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2019 hits newsstands today, May 8.
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Currently an assistant editor at Prevention.com, Nicol is a Manhattan-based journalist who specializes in health, wellness, beauty, fashion, business, and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Houston Chronicle, Business Insider, INSIDER, Everyday Health, and more. When Nicol isn't writing, she loves trying new workout classes, testing out the latest face mask, and traveling. Follow her on Instagram for the latest on health, wellness, and lifestyle.
