Remember flipping through Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues back in the day? All those bronzed bodies looking impossibly perfect? Yeah, me too. Then something shifted around 2016 that made me actually stop mid-page-flip. There was Ashley Graham in all her gorgeous, unapologetic glory - the first Sports Illustrated plus size model to grace those hallowed pages. I nearly spilled my coffee.
That moment wasn't just about one model getting a gig. It felt like the ground shaking under the fashion industry's feet. Finally seeing bodies that looked like mine - or my sister's, or my best friend's - in SI? That was huge. But what really happened behind the scenes? And what's the real impact beyond the headlines?
Breaking Down the Sports Illustrated Plus Size Revolution
Let's clear something up first - when we talk about plus size models in Sports Illustrated, we're generally referring to models who wear size 12 and up. That's the industry standard, though honestly, calling size 12 "plus" still makes me roll my eyes a bit. But hey, progress is progress.
2016
The Earthquake Moment: Ashley Graham lands the cover alongside Ronda Rousey and Hailey Clauson. Not just inside pages - the actual cover. My social media exploded that day. Suddenly everyone was talking about body diversity in swimwear.
2019
The Ripple Effect: Haley Hasselhoff (yes, David Hasselhoff's daughter) becomes SI Swim's first curve model signed to an exclusive contract. This wasn't just a one-off appearance anymore - they were investing in plus size representation long-term.
2020
Breaking More Barriers: Valentina Sampaio makes history as SI's first transgender swimsuit model. The inclusion conversation expanded beautifully that year.
2022
Own The Spotlight: Yumi Nu becomes the first Asian plus-size model on the SI Swim cover. This mattered deeply to my friend Lisa, who'd never seen someone with her body type and heritage represented this way.
Meet the Game Changers
These women aren't just pretty faces - they're activists, business owners, and forces of nature:
| Model | Breakthrough Year | Impact Beyond SI | Signature Campaign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley Graham | 2016 | TED Talk on body acceptance, inclusive lingerie line | Historic SI Swim cover |
| Hunter McGrady | 2017 | #AllWorthy movement, motherhood advocacy | First size 22 model in SI Swim |
| Haley Hasselhoff | 2019 | Diversity ambassador for multiple brands | First exclusive curve model contract |
| Yumi Nu | 2022 | Asian representation advocate, musician | First Asian plus-size cover model |
| Precious Lee | 2021 | Vogue covers, diversity in high fashion | First Black curve model in SI Swim |
What I love about Hunter McGrady? She's brutally honest about how hard it was being the only size 22 girl at castings. "I'd show up and they'd literally gasp," she told Vogue. That vulnerability makes her success even more powerful.
Why Sports Illustrated Plus Size Models Actually Matter
Okay, some people say "It's just swimsuits, who cares?" But let me tell you why this shift matters in real life:
The Ripple Effect You Can Measure: When Ashley Graham appeared in SI, searches for "plus size swimwear" spiked 347% that month according to Google Trends. Suddenly every major retailer scrambled to expand their size ranges. That's not coincidence - that's direct impact.
I saw this firsthand working retail during college. Before 2016, our swim section stopped at XL. Two months after Ashley's cover, corporate shipped us racks of size 16-20 swimsuits. Women cried in the fitting rooms. Actual tears of relief.
The Business Case for Inclusion
| Impact Area | Before SI Plus Size Models | After Inclusion Initiatives |
|---|---|---|
| Plus-Size Swim Market Value | $480 million (2015) | $1.2 billion (2023) |
| Brands Offering 3X+ Sizes | 12% of major retailers | 68% of major retailers |
| Consumer Confidence | 29% felt represented | 63% feel represented (2023 survey) |
| Social Media Engagement | Avg. 8k likes/swim post | Avg. 42k likes on SI curve model posts |
Moral arguments aside, the dollars speak loud and clear. When Lane Bryant featured SI models in their "This Body" campaign, sales jumped 30% in one quarter. Designers finally realized what we've always known: plus size women actually buy swimwear too. Revolutionary concept, right?
"Being in Sports Illustrated wasn't about me wearing a bikini. It was about showing millions of women they could wear one too." - Hunter McGrady on Good Morning America
The Not-So-Pretty Controversies
Let's get real: Not everyone cheered when Sports Illustrated added plus size models. Some criticism is downright toxic ("they're promoting obesity!"), but other concerns deserve serious discussion:
The Tokenism Trap: Remember 2018 when only one curve model appeared among 40 straight-size models? Felt like checking a diversity box rather than real inclusion. My cousin Dana, a size 18 yoga instructor, put it perfectly: "Don't invite me to the party if I'm just going to stand alone in the corner."
Editing Scandals: That time they clearly photoshopped Ashley Graham's thighs thinner? Brutal. What's the point of representing real bodies if you're just going to digitally alter them into industry "standards"?
The Size Spectrum Reality Check
Here's an uncomfortable truth: Most Sports Illustrated curve models still cluster around sizes 12-16. Where are the size 24 women? The disabled models? The moms with C-section scars? When they featured model Jari Jones in 2021, she became the first model with a visible disability in the swim issue. That's progress, but one swallow doesn't make a summer.
| Representation Type | First Appearance | Frequency Since Debut | Consumer Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size 12-16 Models | 2016 (Ashley Graham) | Appear annually since 2016 | 86% positive social sentiment |
| Size 18+ Models | 2017 (Hunter McGrady) | Appeared 3 of last 7 years | 72% positive, 15% "not enough" comments |
| Disabled Models | 2021 (Jari Jones) | One appearance so far | 94% positive, demands for consistency |
| Over-50 Models | 2022 (Maye Musk) | One appearance so far | Trended worldwide for 48hrs |
How Sports Illustrated Changed Shopping Habits Forever
Here's where things get practical. Because of Sports Illustrated featuring plus size models, shopping for swimwear transformed from nightmare to... well, maybe not dream, but tolerable experience. Let's break down the real-world shifts:
The Fit Revolution: Pre-2015, most plus swimwear looked like floral tents. Now? Thanks to demand from SI-inspired shoppers, we've got underwire bikinis, high-waisted retro styles, and even size-inclusive rash guards with UPF 50+.
My personal holy grail? Tankinis that don't ride up when I chase my kids at the beach. Finally found one after seeing it on a SI curve model. Worth every penny of the $89 price tag.
Where to Buy SI-Inspired Swimwear
These brands either featured Sports Illustrated plus size models or created similar styles:
- Swimsuits For All - Carries exact SI styles up to 5X ($40-$120 range)
- Lane Bryant - Structured underwire tops in DDD+ cups ($60-$140)
- Torrid - Trendy cuts like high-leg bottoms ($50-$100)
- CUUP Swim - Luxury minimalist styles ($120-$200)
- Andie Swim - Size-inclusive one-pieces with tummy support ($95-$150)
Pro Tip: Swimwear sizing is notoriously inconsistent. Always check three things: the brand's specific size chart, fabric stretch percentage (look for 20-30% spandex), and customer reviews mentioning "runs small/large." Saved me three returns last season.
Beyond the Beach: Cultural Shockwaves
The impact of Sports Illustrated's plus size models reached far beyond swimwear. We're talking seismic shifts in how society views bodies:
"After my daughter saw Yumi Nu's SI cover, she stopped hiding her thighs in photos. That's the power of representation." - Instagram comment with 12k likes
The Body Positivity vs. Body Neutrality Shift
Early on, the conversation centered heavily on loving every curve - the body positivity movement. But as more diverse Sports Illustrated plus size models emerged, we saw a shift toward body neutrality:
| Aspect | Body Positivity Era (2016-2019) | Body Neutrality Era (2020-Present) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Message | "Love your body at any size!" | "Your body doesn't define your worth" |
| Representation Focus | Celebrating traditionally attractive curves | Showing scars, stretch marks, disabilities |
| Model Advocacy | Ashley Graham's "beautiful at any size" | Hunter McGrady's "all bodies are functional" |
| Consumer Response | Grateful for visibility | Demanding deeper diversity |
Personally, I find the neutrality approach more sustainable. Some days I love my body, some days I'm neutral, and that's okay. The pressure to constantly "love" every inch felt exhausting.
Your Burning Questions Answered
How do Sports Illustrated plus size models actually get chosen?
It's less about size measurements and more about marketability, according to former casting director Monica Mitro. They look for models with strong social followings, compelling personal stories, and that elusive "it" factor. Open casting calls sometimes happen, but most are scouted through agencies specializing in curve models.
Do they get paid the same as straight-size models?
Transparency here is murky, but industry insiders suggest top Sports Illustrated curve models now command similar rates to mid-tier straight-size models. However, entry-level plus models may still earn 15-20% less. The pay gap is narrowing but not closed.
What's the biggest misconception about these models?
"That we're unhealthy," Haley Hasselhoff told People Magazine. "I'm a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. Health comes in all sizes." Medical studies back this up - a 2021 UCLA study found fitness levels vary more within size groups than between them.
Where does the Sports Illustrated plus size model movement go next?
Look for more diversity within diversity - older models, visibly disabled models, more body shapes beyond hourglass figures. The 2024 issue featured its first model with alopecia, a powerful step forward. And hopefully, we'll see more curve models beyond the swim issue.
The Unanswered Challenges
Despite progress, real issues remain that Sports Illustrated hasn't fully addressed:
- Sample Size Problems: Designers often create just one plus-size sample that gets altered for different models. Ever notice how the swimsuits fit every curve model perfectly? That's clever tailoring, not design.
- Location Limitations: Most shoots still happen in tropical resorts. Where's the body diversity at local lakes or community pools?
- The Age Gap: We've seen gorgeous older models like Maye Musk (74!) in SI Swim, but they're still exceptions rather than standards.
My hope? That in five years, we won't need the label "plus size model" at all. They'll just be models, full stop. Until then, seeing more diverse bodies in Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues makes beach season a little less daunting for millions of women. And that's something worth celebrating - while pushing for more.
You know what finally convinced me this wasn't just a trend? When my 65-year-old mom bought her first bikini last summer after seeing model Paulina Porizkova in SI. "If she can rock it at 58, so can I!" Mom declared. That's the power of representation - it reaches places marketing never can.
What's your take - tokenism or true progress? Either way, those Sports Illustrated pages will never look the same again. And honestly? Good riddance to the old standards.