Megan Thee Stallion, Naomi Osaka and More Chosen as New Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models
Breaking barriers as the first rapper to grace the cover.
Megan Thee Stallion has become the first ever rapper to be appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, joining tennis-star Naomi Osaka and model Leyna Bloom in three separate covers that focus on the theme of community.
Although the three of them have little in common, “each is a reminder that beauty comes in many forms,” as noted in a press statement by SI editor-in-chief, MJ Day. Osaka and Bloom equally have shattered convention by becoming the first Japanese-Haitian and transgender woman to grace the cover of the SI Swimsuit Issue, respectively. Megan Thee Stallion applauded the magazine for always being on the “forefront when it comes to diversity and inclusion because they do not fear change.”
The Texas native has been on a meteoric rise since her first album release, Good News. Before performing the hit single “Body” at last November’s American Music Awards, she famously said, “I love my body. Every curve, every inch, every mark, every dimple is a decoration on my temple. My body is mine. And nobody owns it but me.” Megan is following the steps of one of her role models, Tyra Banks, who became the first Black model to grace the cover of SI’s Swimsuit issue back in February 1997.
The news comes a month after Megan released, Thot Shit, which quickly rose to number one on Billboard‘s Top 100 charts for three successive weeks. The rapper is expected to release new music soon.
The barrier-breaking copy of Sports Illustrated‘s Swimsuit Issue hits newstands on July 22.
Elsewhere in music, Kanye West has revealed details to another DONDA listening event in Atlanta.
