Plus-size model Ashley Graham will appear on one of three Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers, the magazine announced late Saturday.
The 28-year-old body positive activist from Nebraska will be featured on this year’s swimsuit issue, along with MMA fighter Ronda Rousey and model Hailey Clauson. The magazine said it’s the first time in 52 years that it is putting out three different Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers.
Graham is the first size-16 model to appear on the cover, according to People. “I thought Sports Illustrated was taking a risk by putting a girl my size in the pages,” she told the magazine. “But putting me on the cover? They aren’t just breaking barriers. They are the standard now. This is beyond epic.”
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Graham said she dedicates her cover to women who “never felt that they were beautiful enough” or skinny enough. “Now we’re being represented,” she said. The Sports Illustrated issue hits stands Monday. (Sports Illustrated and TIME are both owned by Time Inc.)
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