As the world gears up for the highly anticipated, 54^th annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, the final three models included in the 2018 SI Swimsuit Rookie class have been revealed — Olivia Culpo, Ebonee Davis and Hunter McGrady. These last three rookies join NINE other beautiful and well deserving women including Sailor Brinkley Cook, Alexis Ren, Anne de Paula, Chase Carter, Georgia Gibbs, Jasmyn Wilkins, Kate Wasley, Raven Lynand Robin Holzken.

The women shot an all-new, top secret project that will be revealed when SI Swimsuit 2018 launches during Valentine’s Day week.

Olivia Culpo shared her excitement to work with the SI Swimsuit platform: “This was a major goal of mine because many of the women that have posed for SI have gone on to have such inspirational careers. I feel so blessed that this goal is becoming a reality and it shows me that hard work and positive intentions can lead to something amazing.”

Ebonee Davis talked to SI about what it means to her to pose for SI Swimsuit after participating in the 2016 Model Search competition: “Shortly after the competition wrapped, and after years of conforming to industry standards, I made the career altering decision to go natural and became vocal about the racial bias I experienced during my time in the industry… Getting the call to shoot for this year’s issue of Sports Illustrated was the last thing I expected,  especially after changing my appearance and speaking out, but it was one of the most fulfilling moments of my career.”

On being named a Rookie for the 2018 issue, Hunter McGrady says: “This is a dream come true! It shows women everywhere that regardless of your size, we are ALL sexy, beautiful, confident, and empowering, and I’m so happy Sports Illustrated is continuing this body positive conversation. Beauty isn’t a size! They are making history. WE are making history.”

Former Rookies of the Year include Chrissy Teigen (2010), Kate Upton (2011), Nina Agdal (2012), Kate Bock (2013), Sara Sampaio (2014), Kelly Rohrbach (2015), Barbara Palvin (2016), and Bianca Balti (2017). Public voting for the SI Swimsuit Rookie of the Year will begin in a few weeks on SwimDaily.com.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit features women who are change agents, pioneers and breakout stars-in-waiting who have redefined the cultural conversation around beauty. SI Swimsuit models embody character and beauty, and they prove that when it comes to beauty, there is not one single definition. SI Swimsuit believes that beauty does not conform to any set of stodgy standards.

The 2018 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit will launch the week of Valentine’s Day.

For more information visit  SwimDaily.com 

Best,

Courtney