When Megan Thee Stallion trademarked Hot Girl Summer, the world had its doubts, but just two years later, the rapper is making good on the moniker. The WAP artist has become the first rapper to grace the cover of the much-anticipated Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The history-making appearance sees Megan Thee Stallion become just the second musician ever to make the cover, behind Beyonce’s 2007 shoot.
Image: Sports Illustrated
Suffice to say, Megan Thee Stallion has had a ridiculous few years After emerging from relative obscurity, the Houston rapper dominated the charts with her TikTok-driven singles before exploding into the public eye. The contentious and entirely entertaining WAP collaboration with Cardi B was only the beginning, with MTS’ latest single Thot Shit bringing another jaw-dropping music video.
But music aside, Megan Thee Stallion’s latest achievement is worthy of note. She joins fellow cover stars, tennis champion Naomi Osaka and model Leyna Bloom, who previously made headlines as the magazine’s first transgender model of colour. “We have three inherently different cover models that come together to tell a story rooted in female empowerment, setting a reminder that beauty comes in many forms,” SI Swim editor-in-chief, MJ Day, said in a statement.
Image: Sports Illustrated
The appointment of the three diverse women follows a consistent theme for Sports Illustrated. Over the years, the magazine has evolved to be far more inclusive, making headlines in 2020 when Valentina Sampaio became the first trans model to appear in the Swimsuit edition. This year, the issue features a “powerful group of extraordinary, multi-dimensional women,” including the magazine’s first plus-size Asian model, Rookie Yumi Nu, as well as catwalker Kathy Jacobs. The 57-year-old who stands at five-foot-two, is both the oldest and shortest first-time model to appear in the magazine.
For Megan Thee Stallion, gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated caps off an incredible run. The history-making cover signals that her Hot Girl Summer isn’t ending any time soon. “I want to thank all the strong women in my life who inspired me to love my body and live my best hot girl life,” she wrote on Instagram. “It means the world to me to be on this cover. Dream come true.”
Image: Sports Illustrated
Image: Sports Illustrated
Image: Sports Illustrated
Image: Sports Illustrated
Image: Sports Illustrated
Image: Sports Illustrated
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General FAQs
This year, there are three Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover stars. These include rapper Megan Thee Stallion, tennis player Noami Osaka and transgender model Leyna Bloom.
According to Parade, thanks to her earnings in music and branding, Megan Thee Stallion has an estimated net worth of $3 million. However, with the success of her most recent releases and endorsements, it's likely that figure is far higher.
