Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models

Tyra Banks, swimsuit model, talk show host

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models

A spot as one of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit models can make a model's career for the next several years. The women appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition are considered to be the creme de la creme of modeling, and once they can add SI to their credits, they will be sought after the world over for further modeling appearances, and television and movie roles.

If an SI swimsuit model has the savvy to play her cards right, she can wind up with her own designer clothing line just like style maven Kathy Ireland, parlay the experience into acting like Elle Macpherson did with her appearances in the motion picture Sirens, and TV sitcom Friends, or host her own talk show just like Tyra Banks.

Model Search

While many top models are chosen to appear in this issue by SI staff editors and photographers, the process is not a simple one. Agents will lobby the magazine to have their top super models included in the next issue, and with so many beautiful women, the competition is fierce.

In addition to the "big names", the magazine also produced its own reality TV show to document its annual contest designed to choose a previously undiscovered modeling talent to win a spot in the SI Swimsuit lineup. The lucky young woman chosen is automatically catapulted into fame and fortune, not only appearing in the swimsuit issue, but also receiving a one year, $1,000,000.00 modeling contract with NEXT Model Management. Alicia Hall was chosen as the 2005 winner by public vote.

Contestants are judged on SI's criteria of personality, beauty and athleticism, as they participate in various photo shoots designed to put them through their paces. These shoots reveal not only the models' talents, but what they are like to work with too, something that is very important to bringing this special edition in by deadline.

Cover Prestige

Rachel Hunter, swimsuit model

It's quite an honor to be selected one of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit models who will appear throughout the issue's pages, but the greatest honor lies in being selected for the cover shot.

Many models have won the prestigious and most coveted cover page over the years, including Christie Brinkley in 1979, 1980, and 1981, and Kathy Ireland in 1989, 1992, and a trio shot with Elle Macpherson and Rachel Hunter in 1994.

And while we're mentioning the magnificent Elle, it must be pointed out that to date, she has graced the most SI Swimsuit covers including years 1986-88, 1994 and the 2006 SI models reunion cover, featuring from left to right: Veronica Varekova, Elle Macpherson, Rebecca Romijn, Rachel Hunter, Daniela Pestova, Elsa Benitez, Carolyn Murphy and Yamila Diaz.

Sport Stars Take a Turn

Anna_Kournikova at fashion week

SI is a sports magazine after all, and from time to time, the swimsuit issue also features professional women's sports figures. Those equal to the challenge have included:

Steffi Graf

Undisputed tennis great Steffi Graf was a featured Sports Illustrated swimsuit model in the 1997 edition.

Gabrielle Reece

Volleyball's golden girl Gabrielle Reece showed off her perfect abs and a yellow-gold sport bikini for the 1997 edition of SI swimsuits.

Annika Sorenstam

Always challenging herself to excell to the next level of her sport, golfing's first lady Annika Sorenstam took on a different challenge, and appeared in a non-traditional pose with husband David Esch for the 1999 issue.

Serena Williams

In 2003, and again in 2004, tennis powerhouse Serena Williams posed for the SI swimsuit issue, showing off that famous physique in a totally different light. Sporting a stark white Anne Klein string bikini in one of the shots, Serena let the world see a glimpse of her feminine side.

Anna Kournikova

Tennis star Anna also took a turn modeling in the 2004 swimsuit issue, clad in a satin bikini that perfectly set off the healthy glow of her tan.

Maria Sharapova

The 2006 issue continues to present prominent women's sports figures with tennis great Maria Sharapova gracing the pages in various suits, including this gorgeous polka dot bikini from Pompei Beach.

Surprising Fact

You may think that the models who appear in the swimsuit edition receive a fabulous paycheck for their work, but that is not really the case. With so many young women vying for a spot in the world's single best selling magazine issue, Sports Illustrated doesn't have to woo anyone with money. The prestige that comes from being one of the famous Sports Illustrated swimsuit models, and the chance to work with the world's most renowned photographers in exotic locales is worth far more than any amount of money can buy.