From the GRAMMYs to Sports Illustrated, Megan Thee Stallion is no stranger to breaking barriers and making history. The Houston native has made history this week as the first rapper to cover Sports Illustrated‘s coveted swimsuit edition.
“I’ve wanted to do it all my life,” she said about the groundbreaking opportunity.
“I was the little girl looking at the cover of Sports Illustrated saying, ‘One day this is going to be me.’ And I manifested it.”
To get the shoot done, the GRAMMY winner traveled down to Miami, Florida to meet up with accomplished photographer James Macari. Together, the duo conceptualized a shoot that featured the innovative artist donning different swimsuits designed by Fashion Nova.
“Megan Thee Stallion is a magnetic powerhouse taking the world by storm,” MJ Day of Sports Illustrated added.
Megan Thee Stallion is not the only star that will cover the magazine. She will be joined by tennis star Naomi Osaka and actress Leyna Bloom.
“Among the many things we’ve learned over the past 18 months is how much we value being a part of a community and how much we miss that interaction when it’s taken away,” Day continued.
“This issue represents the culmination of our powerful community coming together during these trying times to make history.”
Meet Your #SISwim21 Cover Models: @naomiosaka, @theestallion and @leynabloom! https://t.co/93XYiWUzTi pic.twitter.com/pnCPnMeT10
— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) July 19, 2021