The cover of the 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue was revealed on Saturday, February 13, live through a TV Special. To make things more grand, the publication announced three of its cover stars: Ronda Rousey, Ashley Graham, and Hailey Clauson.
Congrats to @Hailey_Clauson, @theashleygraham, & @RondaRousey for making history with this year's 3-cover #SISwim!https://t.co/mnX2bXI6wa
— TBS Network (@TBSNetwork) February 14, 2016
As it turns out, this year's Swimsuit Issue is an extra special one. According to Us Weekly, this marks the magazine's first time to have three different models for the cover.
Such an honor to share the cover with @theashleygraham and @haileyclauson for @si_swimsuit's issue celebrating women of all body types here's all three covers! A photo posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on Feb 14, 2016 at 4:41am PST
The TNT Special, called "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2016 Revealed," was hosted by Nick Cannon and Rebecca Romijn and enlisted Ne-Yo to perform with DJs Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike. Elle Macpherson was also honored at the event for being on the cover five times.
A photo posted by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@si_swimsuit) on Feb 13, 2016 at 8:45pm PST
But let's go back to the real star of this story, Ronda Rousey. The UFC fighter known for her record-breaking bouts shared her ecstasy over the cover, and how it speaks of a greater body image for women.
"It's a real honor being part of such a historic issue that really pays homage to different body types of women and not promoting just one cookie cutter image for every woman, but showing that the healthiest version of every body type is the sexiest version out there," Rousey said in a release via the New York Post. "And I couldn't be happier. ... I think I was just as honored to get it as to be there in person to watch Ashley's reaction [laughs]."
More from @si_swimsuit - pic by @fredericpinet bodypaint and makeup by @joannegair A photo posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on Feb 15, 2016 at 7:23pm PST
Rousey, along with other athletes Lindsey Vonn and Caroline Wozniacki featured in the issue, were just the handful of models that stripped down for some body paint. "I didn't have any hesitation at all," Ronda said about getting naked.
A photo posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on Feb 14, 2016 at 4:38am PST
According to NESN, the recent cover for the Swimsuit Issue is similar to the same photos (where Ronda's also covered in body paint) that Sports Illustrated released back in January.
