Although Sports Illustrated has been around since 1954, its annual swimsuit runway show is what first brought it to national attention. This year’s runway display will be different from last year’s when it closely resembled the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Women who don’t meet s*xist beauty standards boldly walk the runway in the current version of the programme.
We made the decision to check out the images from the Sports Illustrated bikini runway show from 2022. You may also find the magazine cover in the supplementary material, which features a model that is still in demand at the age of 75.
What makes the Sports Illustrated swimsuit runway show unique?
In the 2022 show, professional models walked the runway alongside everyday women, including a physicist and a worker in construction.
The fact that any lady could participate in this programme was another remarkable aspect of it. The magazine’s editors chose the models who walked the runway based on the images and videos submitted by applicants. And we made the decision to get to know some of the models who really stood out while walking the runway.
Hunter McGrady
At the age of 15, Hunter McGrady began her modelling career. She switched from being a straight-size fashion model to a plus-size one at the age of 19, though.
Hunter, 29, is currently the curviest swimsuit model for Sports Illustrated, and she claims she loves her natural shape. By the way, this year’s presentation also featured Hunter’s elder sister, who joins her as a co-host on their podcast about modelling.
Jasmine Sanders
At the age of 13, Jasmine Sanders started her modelling career. Sanders, 30, added, “At a young age, you’re dealing with a lot of negativity being in the profession. But I just attempted to establish my name and let people know that my physique is as gorgeous.
“If you see me walk down a runway in a bikini, you’ll notice my cellulite and stretch marks since my body fluctuates just like everyone else’s. “I genuinely love my body and have learned to embrace every alteration and every curve,” she concluded.
Ashley Byrd
Ashley Byrd formerly worked as a construction labourer before strutting the runway. Byrd desired to go to a major city and pursue modelling. However, she first needed to save some money to realise her ambition, and at the time, construction workers were paid highly.
Although Byrd claims she didn’t intend to stay in the construction industry for a long time, she finally did for a number of years. She claimed that numerous stints in the freezing cold or the sweltering heat, even aided her modelling career because other tasks didn’t seem difficult.
Byrd claims that she had always wanted to participate in the Sports Illustrated runway event. However, she resisted sending in an application for a while out of fear that it would be rejected because all of her prior attempts to land a modelling job had resulted in a “no.” Nevertheless, she mustered the bravery to send the magazine her video demonstrating her eligibility for the event.
Camille Kostek
Although Camilla Kostek made her first forays into the modelling world a few years prior, she only started working with Sports Illustrated in 2017. She stood at 5’8″, but agencies kept telling her she wasn’t tall enough or slim enough, so her career didn’t progress easily. But the magazine’s creators were taken aback by her attractiveness, and since 2017, she has made five appearances on the pages and once on the cover.
Besides modelling, Kostek is active in community affairs. She has been travelling to American campuses and colleges for her own performance for a few years now, giving presentations on body image and self-acceptance.
Manju Bangalore
Manju Bangalore’s partnership with Sports Illustrated began with the 2022 show, unlike other models, and the issue featuring her photo won’t be published until the following year. Given that she is a physicist and potential astronaut, Bangalore is arguably one of the most unique models.
She oversees two humanitarian initiatives in addition to her employment in the research sector. Her first initiative assists women in obtaining essential personal hygiene items, while her second initiative offers Parkinson’s patients free painting supplies and art workshops.
Shannon Burton
15 years ago, Shannon Burton first began modelling. She reached the age of 35 at that point when many models leave the fashion profession. The model acknowledged that she had received many “no” responses because of her advanced age, but she said that she didn’t even consider quitting because, as she put it, “I turned 50 in March and believed it was the ideal way to commemorate such a major milestone. So I gave it my all.
In an interview, Burton noted, “I have two teenage kids who are always observing.” To give children the confidence to do the same in their own lives, I want them to see their mother pursuing her goals, breaking down barriers, and being strong.
Denise Austin
One of the founders of the fitness sector can legitimately be referred to as Denise Austin. She has spent the last 40 years writing books about healthy living and working as a trainer. Although Denise is 65 years old now, the snapshot shows that she is in excellent health. Austin assists women over 50 in achieving their ideal body.
Austin took part in the 2022 competition with her fitness trainer daughter Katie. The oldest model in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit runway event, Austin, stated, “I had a special sensation as I walked the runway with my daughter.
Bonus: Maye Musk
Maye Musk didn’t take part in the swimsuit competition, but her picture nonetheless graced the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover in 2022. Musk, who will turn 75 in 2019, has worked in the fashion industry for more than 50 years.
Do you believe that all sizes of women should walk the catwalk? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.
Preview photo credit IMAGO / mpi04 / Imago Stock and People / East News, Alberto E. Tamargo / Sipa USA / East News, Alberto E. Tamargo / Sipa USA / East News
