Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

History

The swimsuit issue was invented by Sports Illustrated editor Andre Laguerre to fill the winter months, a typically slow point in the sporting calendar.

When Mark Mulvoy became managing editor of Sports Illustrated, he doubled the size of the swimsuit issue from 20 to 40 pages, becoming a special annual issue The swimsuit issue sold five million copies annually during his time as managing editor, and profits for Sports Illustrated more than quadrupled.

In 1997, Tyra Banks was the first black woman on the cover. Since 1997, the swimsuit issue has been a stand-alone edition, separate from the regular weekly magazine. Its best selling issue was the 25th Anniversary Issue with Kathy Ireland on the cover in 1989.

Through the years, many models, such as Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, Paulina Porizkova, Elle Macpherson, Kathy Ireland, Rachel Hunter, Rebecca Romijn, Petra Nemcova, Valeria Mazza, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Marisa Miller, Brooks Nader, Irina Shayk, Brooklyn Decker, and Kate Upton have been featured on the cover. Other models within its pages, but not on its cover, include Cindy Crawford, Stephanie Seymour, Ella Halikas, Niki Taylor, Angie Everhart, and Naomi Campbell. The eight models featured on the cover of the 2006 issue were featured in a coffee-table book called Sports Illustrated: Exposure. Photographed by Raphael Mazzucco and produced by Diane Smith, the unprecedented "reunion shoot" featured 139 pages of previously-unpublished images. In 2006, the issue expanded publishing to handheld devices. In 2007, the swimsuit issue first became available in China.

The 2008–2013 covergirls were announced on Late Show with David Letterman. The 2014 and 2017 covergirls were announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The 2015 cover model was announced on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. MJ Day became the issue's top editor in 2014.

The 2019 covers were exclusively announced on Good Morning America with Tyra Banks and Camille Kostek both appearing on the show on May 8, 2019. The 2019 issue leaned towards diversity and inclusivity with models representing different body types. It also tackled ageism, body image and the Me Too movement.

The 2020 issue was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was released on July 13, 2020. Valentina Sampaio became the swimsuit issue’s first openly transgender model in 2020. The first openly transgender covergirl for the magazine was Leyna Bloom in 2021.

In May 2022, Yumi Nu became the first plus-size model of Asian descent to be featured on the cover of the magazine. Also in May, Maye Musk became the oldest model to feature on the Swimsuit cover, appearing at 74 years old.

Non-models in the magazine

Female athletes have appeared in swimsuit shoots. Steffi Graf appeared in 1997. In the 2003 issue, tennis player Serena Williams and figure skater Ekaterina Gordeeva were featured inside the magazine. In 2016, UFC fighter Ronda Rousey became the first female athlete to appear on the cover. However, Anna Kournikova appeared in an inset on the 2004 cover, and had a photo spread within its pages.

In 2005, Olympic gold medalists Amanda Beard and Jennie Finch, along with Lauren Jackson and Venus Williams, were featured. Maria Sharapova appeared in an inset on the 2006 cover and had a spread inside. In spring 2006, Sports Illustrated chose music as the theme for the 2007 issue. Swimsuit editor Diane Smith wanted Grammy-winner Beyoncé Knowles to pose. In 2006, Beyoncé launched a swimsuit line under her House of Deréon clothing label. Beyoncé Knowles became the first singer, and first non-model non-athlete, to appear on the cover in 2007.

In 2008, NFL cheerleaders appeared for the first time. Teams include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, Washington Commanders and Houston Texans.

Race car driver Danica Patrick appeared in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, she was featured in a four-page spread set in Singer Island, Florida.

For the 2010 issue, four female Winter Olympians appeared in swimsuits: Clair Bidez, Lacy Schnoor, Hannah Teter, and Lindsey Vonn. They were joined by tennis player Ana Ivanovic. Australian hurdler Michelle Jenneke appeared in the 2013 issue after having gained notoriety for her warm-up dance routine, which went viral on YouTube.

In 2012, Alex Morgan first appeared in a body paint swimsuit. In 2014, she made her second appearance this time in an actual swimsuit. In 2019, she appeared for her third appearance alongside her USWNT teammates, Megan Rapinoe, Crystal Dunn and Abby Dahlkemper all joined her in two-piece swimsuits.

Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki appeared in the 2015 issue. She is an active player, formerly world number one, and was photographed at Captiva Island in the Gulf of Mexico by Walter Iooss, Jr. Top ranked Canadian tennis player Eugenie Bouchard appeared for the first time in the 2017 issue. She is an active player who has achieved a top five rank in tennis in 2014.

In 2021, Naomi Osaka became the first black athlete to appear not only inside but also on the cover of the SI swimsuit Issue.

In 2023, Martha Stewart, at the age of 81, became the oldest model on the cover of the SI swimsuit Issue. Also in 2023, Kim Petras became the second openly transgender woman to appear on the cover.

Olivia Dunne, the NCAA gymnast, appeared in the ‘23 edition. Also, Olympic medallists Simone Biles and Aly Raisman in ‘17 and ‘18.

The 2024 60th Anniversary publication included reappearances by athletes Paige Spiranac, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, Olivia Dunne, and Brenna Huckaby. Olympian rugby player Ilona Maher, collegiate diver Alexa Massari, collegiate softball player Jas Williams, and collegiate basketball player Jillian Hayes all made their debut in the issue as well.

Reception

Bryan Curtis of Slate argued that the magazine is an acceptable exhibition of female sexuality not out of place on a coffee table.

In 1997, sports sociologist Laurel R. Davis published The Swimsuit Issue and Sport: Hegemonic Masculinity in Sports Illustrated, examining the societal implications of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Davis analyzed editions of the magazine from its inception in 1964 through the 1990s and conducted interviews with producers and readers. Her research suggested that the swimsuit issues reinforced traditional gender roles and perpetuated a "climate of hegemonic masculinity." Davis also argued that the magazine marginalized people of color, non-heterosexual individuals, and residents of lower-income countries. Additionally, Davis critiqued the magazine’s portrayal of models, suggesting it emphasized notions of femininity over athleticism by depicting them as dependent, emotionally vulnerable, and disconnected from the sporting context.

Despite the success of the swimsuit edition, hundreds have cancelled their subscriptions due to it. The 1978 edition, remembered for its fishnet bathing suit made famous by Cheryl Tiegs, resulted in 340 cancellations.

Locations

The swimsuit issue was once predominantly shot in one country per year. As the issue has grown in size, the number of locations has also risen.

• 1964: Cozumel
• 1965: Baja California
• 1966: Bahamas
• 1967: Arizona
• 1968: French Polynesia
• 1969: Puerto Rico
• 1970: Hawaii
• 1971: Dominican Republic
• 1972: Marina del Rey
• 1973: Bahamas
• 1974: Puerto Rico
• 1975: Cancún
• 1976: Baja California
• 1977: Maui
• 1978: Brazil
• 1979: Seychelles
• 1980: British Virgin Islands
• 1981: Florida
• 1982: Kenya
• 1983: Jamaica
• 1984: Netherlands Antilles
• 1985: Australia
• 1986: French Polynesia
• 1987: Dominican Republic
• 1988: Thailand
• 1989: Mexico, Seychelles, Kenya, Lake Powell, Kauai, St. Barts
• 1990: The Grenadines, Windward Islands
• 1991: Cruise theme – Turks & Caicos, Bali, St. Barts
• 1992: Spain
• 1993: Alaska, Florida Keys, Mackinac Island, Martha's Vineyard, Oahu
• 1994: Pool theme – Southern California, Colorado, Florida, Bali, Pantelleria, Sardinia, St. Maarten, Mexico, Hong Kong
• 1995: Bermuda, Costa Rica
• 1996: South Africa
• 1997: Bahamas, Monaco, Venezuela, Mexico, Malibu
• 1998: Equator theme – Maldives, Kenya, Indonesia, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
• 1999: Necker Island, Guana Island
• 2000: Pacific theme – Malaysia, Oahu, Maui, Mexico
• 2001: Tunisia, Greece, Italy, Bahamas, Las Vegas
• 2002: Latin theme – Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Spanish Harlem
• 2003: Barbados, Kenya, Turkey, Florida Keys, Colorado, Vietnam, Grenada
• 2004: Montauk, New York, Saranac Lake, New York, Mississippi, Wyoming, Arizona, Bouton, Iowa, Perry, Iowa
• 2005: Exuma, Bahamas, Pico Bonito National Park, Honduras, Korčula, Croatia, Laguna Beach, California, Bora Bora, Portillo, Chile, Hua Hin, Thailand, Papgayo Peninsula, Costa Rica, Placencia, Belize, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
• 2006: Hollywood, Huahine, Las Vegas, Cartagena, Colombia, Cat Island and Harbour Island, Bahamas, Palm Springs
• 2007: Music theme – Memphis, Tennessee, Negril, Jamaica, Bahia, Brazil, Maui and Lahaina, Hawaii, Grambling and Shreveport, Louisiana, Los Angeles, Tucson, Arizona, Cleveland, Ohio
• 2008: St. Petersburg, Russia, Discovery Cove, Orlando and Singer Island, Florida, Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands, Kaanapali, Hawaii, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos, Caesarea, Israel and the Dead Sea, Israel
• 2009: Riviera Maya, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, Teneriffa, Canary Islands, St. George's, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Naples, Italy, Cappadocia, Turkey, Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
• 2010: Whistler, Canada, Atacama, Chile, Rajasthan, India, Veligandu, Maldives, Palm Springs, California, Lisbon, Portugal
• 2011: Peter Island, British Virgin Islands, Nanuya Levu, Fiji, Boracay Island, The Philippines, Sentosa, Singapore, Maui, Hawaii, Laguna Beach, California, Banff National Park, Canada
• 2012: Bondi Beach, New South Wales and North Narrabeen, Australia, Apalachicola, Florida, Gulf Coast of the United States, Bocas del Toro Province and San Blas Islands, Panama, Desroches Island, Seychelles, Victoria Falls, Zambia
• 2013: Antarctica, Hayman Island, Australia, Guilin, China, Exuma, Bahamas, Easter Island, Chile, Etosha National Park and Swakopmund, Namibia, Seville, Spain
• 2014: Aitutaki, Cook Islands, Cape Canaveral, Florida, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhão, Brazil, Zermatt and Lake Geneva, Switzerland, Nosy Be, Madagascar, Congress Hall, Cape May, New Jersey, St. Lucia, Fiji, Guana Island, British Virgin Islands
• 2015: American issue: West Coast California, Oregon, Washington; Blackberry Farm, Tennessee; Route 66 (Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona); Parks - Monument Valley - Utah, Bryce Canyon - Utah, Yellowstone - Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Kauai, Hawaii; Caneel Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands; Captiva, Florida
• 2016: Bora Bora; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; Malta; Tahiti; Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic; Petit Saint Vincent, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Exuma, Bahamas
• 2017: Fiji; Sumba, Indonesia; Tulum; Turks and Caicos; Saariselkä, Finland
• 2018: Tierra del Sol Resort & Golf, Aruba; Haute Harbour Island, Bahamas; Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Belize; Hermitage Plantation Inn, Nevis
• 2019: Costa Rica, Great Exuma, Kangaroo Island, Kenya, Paradise Island, Puerto Vallarta, St. Lucia

In other media

• Beginning in the late 1980s, Sports Illustrated allowed television specials to be aired which were later released as video versions of its Swimsuit Issue. The first releases were available on VHS or Laser Disc (LD), and later releases have been available on DVD.{{cite web | access-date = December 13, 2009}}

• In 1989, The Making of the Sports Illustrated 25th Anniversary Swimsuit Issue was a television documentary by HBO which later became available on VHS by Maysles Films.{{cite web | access-date = December 13, 2009}}

• In 1992, a behind-the-scenes made-for-HBO special documentary was released on VHS as the Sports Illustrated Behind the Scenes: Official Swimsuit Video.{{cite web | access-date = December 13, 2009}}

• In 1993, Sports Illustrated: The 1993 Swimsuit Video was released by HBO films.{{cite web | access-date = December 13, 2009}}

• The Sports Illustrated 1994 Swimsuit Issue Video was released on video by Dakota North Entertainment.{{cite web | access-date = December 13, 2009}} Since then, the annual video version of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has been called the Swimsuit Video.

• In 1995, Sports Illustrated began distributing television specials based on the issue, titled Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Special. The hour-long specials have aired on Spike TV and TNT and Minisodes of several specials from 2002 to 2004 are available on Crackle.{{cite news | access-date=February 25, 2009}}

• In 2004, the Sports Illustrated 40th Anniversary Swimsuit Special: American Beauty featured videos of the swimsuit beauties at various US locations, some of which are not usually thought of as beaches: e.g., the host Melissa Keller and Marisa Miller at the grain elevator in Bouton, Iowa, and on a farm near Perry, Iowa. The more recent videos have included some "uncensored" scenes.{{cite web | access-date = December 13, 2009}}

• For January 2005, NBC produced the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search, a reality TV show documenting twelve previously unknown fashion models as they competed against one another over five weeks for the grand prize: a pictorial in the 2005 edition of the Swimsuit Issue and a modeling contract with NEXT Model Management worth one million US dollars. Alicia Hall won the competition.{{cite web | access-date = December 13, 2009}}

• Prior to the release of the 2011 issue, DirecTV aired a preview special on the 101 Network, revealing the models in that year's edition. The show was hosted by Dan Patrick and Mallory Snyder.

• In 2017, the issue hosted its first ever open casting call where aspirants were asked to submit a 60-second video on Instagram. The three-part series Sports Illustrated Swim Search which documented the first ever open casting call with Camille Kostek as a winner (becoming a cover model in 2019) was made available on SI TV and Amazon Prime Video. The following year, the model search held an in-person open casting call in Miami, and has been held annually since.

• In 2019, the magazine held a two-day exhibition in Miami which gave "fans the chance to experience the world of SI Swim like never before through an array of one-of-a-kind installations, photo experiences," panels and talks among others.

References

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