The Three Titans: Unpacking The History-Making Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2021 Cover Stars
The History-Making Trio: Full Biography & Profile
The 2021 edition marked the first time the magazine dedicated three separate covers to three distinct figures, each representing a monumental "first" for the franchise. The following are the full profiles of the women who redefined the meaning of a *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit* cover star.
Naomi Osaka
- Born: October 16, 1997, in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan
- Citizenship: Japanese
- Occupation: Professional Tennis Player, Activist
- Major Achievements: Ranked World No. 1 by the WTA; First Asian woman to be ranked No. 1; Multiple Grand Slam singles titles (including US Open and Australian Open)
- SI Swimsuit Milestone: First Asian athlete and first Black-Japanese athlete to be featured on a *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit* cover. [cite: 7, 9 from search 1]
Osaka’s cover, photographed by Yu Tsai, featured the tennis champion modeling a sporty-yet-elegant black asymmetrical one-piece. [cite: 4 from search 1] Her inclusion highlighted her status not just as an exceptional athlete, but as a powerful activist and cultural figure who openly addresses mental health and social justice issues.
Megan Thee Stallion (Megan Jovon Ruth Pete)
- Born: February 15, 1995, in San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
- Occupation: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Philanthropist [cite: 5, 15 from search 1]
- Major Achievements: Multiple Grammy Award wins; Known for hit singles like "Savage" and "WAP"; Cultural Icon; Continued to pursue a college degree while achieving superstar status. [cite: 3, 8, 11 from search 1]
- SI Swimsuit Milestone: First female rapper to ever grace the cover of the *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit* issue. [cite: 3, 17 from search 1]
The Houston-bred rapper's cover shoot, captured by photographer James Macari in Hollywood, Florida, featured her confidently posing in a light brown bikini with a strappy cutout top. [cite: 6, 12, 14, 17 from search 1] Her presence was a monumental moment for body positivity, celebrating her powerful physique and unapologetic confidence, reinforcing her "Hot Girl" brand of self-empowerment. [cite: 6 from search 1]
Leyna Bloom
- Born: 1993 or 1994, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Ethnicity: Black and Filipina (African-American father, Filipino mother)
- Occupation: Fashion Model, Dancer, Actress, Activist
- Major Achievements: Started in the ballroom dance community; One of the few openly transgender models to walk the runway; Starred in the film *Port Authority*.
- SI Swimsuit Milestone: First transgender woman of color and the first openly transgender woman to appear on the cover of the *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit* issue. [cite: 1, 10, 15 from search 1]
Leyna Bloom's cover, shot by Yu Tsai in Tampa, Florida, was arguably the most historically significant. [cite: 8 from search 1] As a Black and Filipina model, she represented a powerful intersection of identities, using the massive platform to advocate for greater visibility and acceptance for the transgender community. [cite: 1, 10, 15 from search 1] Her inclusion solidified the issue's commitment to true, meaningful diversity.
Beyond the Covers: The 2021 Issue’s Deep Dive into Empowerment and Body Positivity
While the three cover stars dominated the headlines, the full *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2021* issue was a deep and rich tapestry of compelling stories, featuring a diverse cast of models and personalities who championed various causes and forms of beauty. The issue, dated August 2021, was a masterclass in topical authority, ensuring every spread had a story to tell. [cite: 20 from search 1]
Celebrating Diverse Careers and Body Types
The 2021 lineup was notable for featuring women with careers that extended far beyond the modeling industry, emphasizing that strength and influence are the new standards of beauty. The roster included:
- Maggie Rawlins: A model who paused her career to serve on the frontlines as a COVID-19 nurse during the pandemic, representing real-life heroism. [cite: 23 from search 1]
- Christen Harper: A model and entrepreneur who became a powerful voice for body positivity and self-acceptance, photographed in Dominica. [cite: 22 from search 1]
- Kathy Jacobs: At 57, she returned to the issue, continuing to smash age barriers in the industry, proving that beauty and confidence have no expiration date. She was photographed in Tampa, Fla. by Yu Tsai. [cite: 22 from search 1]
- Kelsey Merritt: The Filipino-American model returned, bringing her unique blend of Filipina and American heritage to the global stage. [cite: 19 from search 1]
The issue also featured popular singers Tinashe and Anitta, alongside returning *SI Swimsuit* veterans like Olivia Culpo, Jasmine Sanders, Kate Bock, Josephine Skriver, and Haley Kalil. [cite: 4, 19, 22 from search 1; 19 from search 2] The inclusion of these figures ensured a broad representation of different body shapes, ages, and professional backgrounds, making the magazine feel more relatable and aspirational to a wider audience.
The Lasting Cultural Impact of the 2021 Edition
The 2021 *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit* issue is not just a collection of stunning photographs; it is a vital document in the ongoing conversation about media representation and inclusion. By selecting Megan Thee Stallion, Naomi Osaka, and Leyna Bloom, *SI Swimsuit* effectively positioned itself as a cultural trailblazer, willing to take bold steps to reflect the modern world.
This edition’s focus on empowerment and its commitment to showcasing women who are leaders, activists, and boundary-pushers has had a lasting impact on the fashion and media industries. It normalized the idea that a cover model can be a three-time Grammy winner, a Grand Slam tennis champion, or a transgender woman of color, proving that influence and authenticity are the most compelling qualities. The 2021 issue is frequently referenced as a high-water mark for diversity in the publication’s history, setting a new, higher standard for subsequent editions and other mainstream magazines.
The themes of body positivity, celebrating diverse cultural backgrounds, and acknowledging the importance of mental health (a topic often championed by Naomi Osaka) resonated deeply with readers globally. The *SI Swimsuit 2021* issue successfully leveraged its platform to champion women who are redefining success, beauty, and power on their own terms, making it a truly unforgettable and transformative publication.
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