Sports Illustrated has made history after it crowned three separate 2016 swimsuit cover models, including plus-size model and body image activist Ashley Graham.
Graham posted a copy of her cover on Instagram, along with a comment expressing her delight, which has chalked up more than 70,000 likes. She wrote:
“Truly speechless!!! This cover is for every woman who felt like she wasn’t beautiful enough because of her size. You can do and achieve anything you put your mind to. Thank you so much to the entire @si_swimsuit team! I’m so excited to be a part of your family. I love you all!!!#siswim #beautybeyondsize”
Ashley Graham’s swimsuit cover | Image | SI
This is the first time the annual issue has featured three women, reports the Huffington Post.
The two other covers feature UFC fighter Ronda Rousey and model Hailey Clauson.
Hailey Clauson’s swimsuit cover | Image | SI
Ronda Rousey’s swimsuit cover | Image | SI
“Every single woman that is booked for this magazine is cover worthy,” said SI assistant managing editor MJ Day.
“The collective beauty in the magazine is overwhelming. SI has always been and will always be about the models; the pictures you see here are a celebration of them.
“The three covers of Hailey, Ronda and Ashley celebrate the new SI Swimsuit. 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.”
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