“The secret is out,” declared the voice behind Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s Instagram page on Friday, May 31. The magazine has just unveiled an exciting new chapter with the launch of its inaugural digital editions, featuring TikTok star and Hot Mess podcast host Alix Earle on the cover of its first edition—see it here!
On the newly released digital cover, the 23-year-old wears a gold metallic bikini complemented by oversized sunglasses with light-colored lenses.
“We are incredibly excited to introduce this dynamic new approach to delivering Sports Illustrated Swimsuit content,” said the magazine’s editor-in-chief, MJ Day. “Our goal is to elevate the SI Swimsuit brand to new heights while staying true to our legacy of celebrating beauty, diversity and important storytelling. With our new digital issues, we are keeping pace with the rapidly evolving media landscape while also providing additional opportunities for talent alike to share their narratives and upcoming projects with our robust audience.”
The outlet’s first digital issue will launch in full on Monday, June 3, and will include a more in-depth interview with the cover star, along with more exciting content. Don’t worry—Sports Illustrated Swimsuit will continue to publish its annual edition, as well.
“It has been a long-time dream of mine to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and I’m deeply honored to be named their first-ever digital cover star,” said Earle in a press statement. “Becoming part of the SI family and now joining alongside such strong, powerful, and inspiring women is incredibly meaningful to me.”
The University of Miami alum will also be making her runway debut during the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Miami Swim Week Runway Show at South Beach tomorrow, June 1.
This news comes just two weeks after SI Swimsuit released its highly anticipated 60th anniversary issue starring not one but 52 influential women who’ve graced the magazine cover through the years. Those photographed included Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkley, Paulina Porizkova, and Kate Upton, among others.
“We assembled some of our most influential alumni together for one legendary photo shoot,” Day said of the issue, which featured seven special covers in honor of the magazine’s milestone. “Sure, it looks back on history. But more significantly, it’s a window into the present—where we are right now—and a hope for the future,” Day says. “The result was nothing short of spectacular. So spectacular that we created three covers, a triptych that speaks to the collective strength, power, beauty and diversity that is what SI Swimsuit looks like at 60.”
