A whole lot of melanin magic going on with Sports Illustrated.
Three women of color graced the cover of the 2021 swimsuit cover.
Megan Thee Stallion made history as the first female rapper on the cover. When Megan found out she’d be on the cover, she was ecstatic! She said, “When I got the call that they wanted me on the cover, I was like, ‘Wha—? Me?’ And to be the first female rapper on the swim cover makes it extra special. It feels amazing!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRglL1tFieY/?utm_medium=copy_link
Leyna Bloom also graced a separate cover. She made history as the first woman of color/transgender woman on the cover. On Instagram, Leyna wrote a lengthy post about the milestone. She said, “I’m am so happy, honored, and humbled to share that I’m the 1st trans woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated!” In another part of her message, she said,
“I dedicate this cover to all ballroom femme queens past, present and future. This historical moment is important to #girlslikeus because it allows us to live and be seen. Many girls like us don’t have the chance to live our dreams, or to live long at all. I hope my cover empowers those, who are struggling to be seen, feel valued. Let me be a messenger guiding us to a future of respect and appreciation for all women in all forms and from all walks of life.”
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka is the first Black/ Haitian/Japanese female athlete on the cover. She wrote a touching post on IG. Naomi said, “First Haitian and Japanese woman on the cover of SI swimsuit.”