MEGAN THEE STALLION, NAOMI OSAKA AND LEYNA BLOOM ARE REVEALED AS SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT’S 2021 COVER MODELS

The 2021 Issue Celebrates 25 Powerful and Beautiful Women, featuring newcomers Anitta and Tinashe and Includes Former Cover Models Camille Kostek, Danielle Herrington, Jasmine Sanders, Kate Bock, Olivia Culpo and more

Megan Thee Stallion, Anitta and Tinashe to Perform at the Launch Event for the 2021 Issue On Newsstands July 22nd!

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit today announced this year’s cover models, featuring Megan Thee Stallion, Naomi Osaka and Leyna Bloom. Megan was photographed by James Macari, Leyna and Naomi were photographed by Yu Tsai.

2021 marks the 58th installment of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Since its inception, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has evolved into a community of individuals whose beauty transcends convention, inspires change and encourages trail blazers to own and redefine their narrative. As the brand continues to focus its efforts towards shifting the industry’s perceptions of beauty, the 2021 issue brings together a group of powerfully diverse people and creates a community rooted in self-love, acceptance and transformation.

Megan Thee Stallion. Photograph by James Macari/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED. On sale July 22

“Among the many things we’ve learned over the past 18 months is how much we value being a part of a community, and how much we miss that interaction when it’s taken away,” says MJ Day, Editor in Chief of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. “This issue represents the culmination of a powerful community- coming together during challenging times to make history.”

“If there’s one thing that our cover models have in common, it’s that they don’t have one thing in common. They look different, have different upbringings, have different passions and inspirations. But each is a reminder that beauty comes in many forms. Leyna Bloom makes history as the first transgender cover model in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s history, and the first trans person of color to appear on our pages, solidifying the fact that the more diverse and inclusive a community, the stronger it becomes. We celebrate Naomi for her passion, strength and power geared towards consistently breaking barriers when it comes to equality, social justice and mental health. As for Megan Thee Stallion, she is a magnetic powerhouse taking the world by storm. Together these women represent three of the most powerful voices of today.”

On the brand’s continued journey to inspire purpose, potential and growth, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit tapped Roc Nation’s stars for the issue. Tinashe and Anitta will join this year’s roster of 25 women in addition

to cover models Megan Thee Stallion, Leyna Bloom and Naomi Osaka, models Brooks Nader, Camille Kostek, Danielle Herrington, Emily DiDonato, Haley Kalil, Jasmine Sanders, Josephine Skriver, Kate Bock, Kathy Jacobs, Katrina Scott, Kelsey Merritt, Lais Ribeiro, Marquita Pring, Maggie Rawlins, Natalie Mariduena, Nyma Tang, Olivia Culpo, Tanaye White, Valentina Sampaio and Yumi Nu along with thirteen Swim Search hopefuls: Alex Aust, Allie Ayers, Ally Courtnall, Amanda Kay, Chelsea Heath, Christen Harper, Gabriella Halikas, Katie Austin, Kristen Louelle, Natalie Gage, Saje Nicole, Summer Wilson and Taylor Sharpe.

This year’s issue also includes a special flip section off the back cover featuring wellness, travel, style and beauty content. The section introduces SI Swimsuit x TRX Training ClubSM—a dynamic, exclusive training experience with unlimited on-demand workouts and live classes with TRX trainers and former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover models Danielle Herrington, Camille Kostek and Kate Bock along with professional lacrosse player Alex Aust and model Gabriella Halikas that will launch alongside the 2021 issue. Readers will get a sneak peek of what users can expect from the fitness platform.

To celebrate the launch of the issue, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, in partnership with Hard Rock International, will be hosting a series of events July 23 and July 24 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The festivities will include interactive events, a red-carpet launch activation followed by a concert at Hard Rock Live featuring Roc Nation talent Megan Thee Stallion, Anitta and Tinashe.

The event will feature special activations from launch week partners including TRX®, Vita Coco, CashApp, Captain Morgan, Ciroc, Baileys, Emsculpt and Popeyes.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit partnered with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino properties in the U.S. as its exclusive provider of shoot locations for the annual issue. The 2021 issue was shot at four prominent Hard Rock properties including Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.

Exclusive content from this year’s issue will be available the same day across all Sports Illustrated Swimsuit social and digital channels starting July 19. The issue will be in-home and on newsstands on Thursday, July 22. Follow Sports Illustrated Swimsuit @si_swimsuit and @si_swimsearch and visit swimsuit.si.com.

Visit club.trxtraining.com/si-swimsuit to train anywhere, anytime live or on demand with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and TRX®.

ABOUT THE SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT ISSUE

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is one of the most recognizable and influential symbols of pop culture. Featuring talent from around the world, the issue has become a revered launching pad for successful careers in media, fashion, business, TV and film. The iconic and innovative institution continues to set the cultural tone and evoke discussion about what defines beauty on a global scale. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has become a lifestyle platform that champions body confidence and self- expression, and connects with diverse audiences through digital content and signature experiences that nurture the body, soul and spirit. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit remains steadfast in its goal of providing an inspirational media platform for individuals where they can connect, explore and engage with 24/7 content that speaks to wellness, travel, food, style and beauty.

For more information, visit swimsuit.si.com.

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