Sports Illustrated makes history with plus-size model in annual swimsuit issue
Sports Illustrated have made history with their iconic Swimsuit Issue by featuring a plus size model.
Nebraskan born Ashley Graham, 26, stars in Swim Suits For All's new campaign, #CurvesinBikinis – the magazine's first ever advert to feature a plus size model.
The advert aims to pave the way for curvier women.
“I know my curves are sexy and I want everyone else to know that theirs are too. There is no reason to hide and every reason to flaunt,” Graham said in a statement.
The size 14 model also took to Instagram to announce the news, writing: “Secret's out!! So honored to be the face of#CurvesInBikinis for @swimsuitsforall! Can't wait for the ad's debut in the @SI_Swimsuit issue!”
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="4"> <div> <div> <div /> </div> <a rel="nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/p/yr4-fGTZ73/" target="_blank" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-103636-https://instagram.com/p/yr4-fGTZ73/" data-vars-event-id="c23">Secret's out!! So honored to be the face of #CurvesInBikinis for @swimsuitsforall! Can't wait for the ad's debut in the @SI_Swimsuit issue! by @nomadrj by @Vincent_Longo by @sinavelke by @the_line_up @tobias.lewis #beautybeyondsize #sexystateomind #lovetheskinyourein #curvesfordays #ashleygraham</a> A photo posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M ™ (@theashleygraham) on <time datetime="2015-02-04T16:21:56+00:00">Feb 4, 2015 at 8:21am PST</time> </div>
The much anticipated cover star of the annual edition was unveiled as model Hannah Davis during a grand reveal on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday.
Davis – who is the girlfriend of Yankee's star Derek Jeter - can be seen striking a revealing pose on the front cover, which is a departure from the 2014 group shot of Chrissy Teigen, Lily Aldridge and Nina Agdal.
Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue
The 24-year-old was reportedly left in tears when she found out the news that she would star.
Taking to Twitter she posted her excitement alongside a picture of the cover, writing: "Thank you to my @si_swimsuit and @imgmodels family! I am honored to be your 2015 cover girl! Wow!!"
