Το περιοδικό που έχει βοηθήσει μοντέλα όπως η Κέιτ Άπτον και η Κρίσι Τέιγκεν φέτος άνοιξε τους ορίζοντές του.

Το τεύχος με τα μαγιό του Sports Illustrated έχει αποτελέσει πολλές φορές μέχρι σήμερα το πρώτο βήμα για αρκετά διάσημα μοντέλα όπως η Κέιτ Άπτον, η Κρίσι Τέιγκεν και η Άσλεϊ Γκράχαμ.

Φέτος οι υπεύθυνοι του περιοδικού αποφάσισαν να κάνουν «καλλιστεία» ανάμεσα σε 17 γυναίκες προκειμένου να επιλεγεί μια από αυτές για να φιλοξενηθεί στις σελίδες του περιοδικού.

Οι 17 φιναλίστ επελέγησαν μετά την πασαρέλα που στήθηκε στο Μαϊάμι τον περασμένο Ιούνιο η οποία σχολιάστηκε ως η πιο διαφορετική από όσες έχουν πραγματοποιηθεί μέχρι σήμερα.

Ανάμεσά τους βρίσκεται μια πρώην αναπληρωματική Miss Universe, μια 37χρονη βετεράνος του στρατού των ΗΠΑ, μια 55χρονη γυναίκα αλλά και oversized μοντέλα.

Το περιοδικό στον λογαριασμό του στο Instagram έχει δημοσιεύσει τις τελευταίες ημέρες τη φωτογραφία και ένα σύντομο βιογραφικό των υποψηφίων σχολιάζοντας στην ιστοσελίδα του ότι «οι γυναίκες αυτές τα «έσπασαν» στην πασαρέλα και απέδειξαν ότι η ομορφιά είναι πολύ περισσότερα από όσα δείχνει η επιφάνεια».

Τέλος θα πρέπει να αναφέρουμε ότι το περιοδικό έχει στον λογαριασμό του στο Instagram περισσότερους από 2 εκατομμύρια followers, που θα πρέπει να «βάλουν πλάτη» με τα σχετικά like για να βρεθεί η νικήτρια. Απολαύστε τις φωτογραφίες που ακολουθούν από τις πρώτες 14 από τις 17 φιναλίστ:

1) Nour Guiga⁣

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#SISwimSearch Sweet 17: Meet Nour Guiga⁣ ⁣ “I plan to use the SI Swimsuit platform to further the conversation about sizes that are largely unrepresented in the modeling industry and empower models who fall in-between the straight and plus size categories. In my modeling career, I was first asked to lose weight, so I would fit into straight size model standards, and later asked to gain weight to fit into a plus size category. Younger generations not only need to see both ends of the spectrum, but also everything in between in order to grow up with a more diverse and accurate image of women. Ultimately, I wish to create a path for younger girls who want to become models without having to lose or gain weight to be successful.” - @nour_guiga⁣ ⁣ Click the link in bio to learn more about Nour! ✨

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2) Clarissa Bowers⁣⁣

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#SISwimSearch Sweet 17: Meet Clarissa Bowers⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ “From an early age, I had a deep desire to help improve the lives of others, and I felt that medicine was the best way for me to accomplish that. When selecting my pre-med major, I gravitated towards Vanderbilt’s neuroscience program…It has been an interesting experience balancing both education and modeling. I have been very fortunate to surround myself with family, friends, and colleagues who support me in all of my endeavors. However, I am no stranger to being told I do not belong in my field after someone has taken a glance at my social media. I often feel as though I have to work and study twice as hard in order to earn the respect of my peers and be taken seriously in academic environments.” - @clarissabowers⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Click the link in bio to learn more about Clarissa! ✨

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3) Djaniel Carter⁣

4) Miki Hamano⁣

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#SISwimSearch Sweet 17: Meet Miki Hamano⁣ ⁣⁣ “For me, being a part of #SISwimSearch means that I get to inspire women like me, especially Asian girls who dream to be a model. In Asian culture, parents usually teach us to choose a traditional career path and focus on that. As a result, many young women give up on their dreams without even trying. I gave up on my dream when I was a kid because my parents taught me that I couldn’t be a model. It was only when I moved to America that I started believing I could really do it. I want young people to know that nothing is impossible and we need to dream big!” - @misshamino⁣ ⁣ Click the link in bio to learn more about Miki! ✨

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5) Courtney Smits⁣

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#SISwimSearch Sweet 17: Meet Courtney Smits⁣ ⁣⁣ “Working in a male dominated field has shown me that femininity and hard work are no longer mutually exclusive. I was told that at one point in my career, I will be forced to choose between these two worlds that don't seem to fit together, that I ‘can’t be a model and be in the Army.’ I was told that my male superiors and coworkers wouldn't take me seriously if I wear make up or ‘embrace my pretty,’ and I was told by modeling agencies that I should quit the Army because ‘I am too pretty to be shot at.’ Being a part of Sports Illustrated means that I can show young girls and women that we CAN have it all!” - @courtney_lynne12⁣ ⁣⁣ Click the link in bio to learn more about Courtney! ✨

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6) Jamea Lynee⁣

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#SISwimSearch Sweet 17: Meet Jamea Lynee⁣ ⁣ “I plan to encourage all the girls around the world to stay true to themselves and believe in every dream that comes to mind. I was raised in a ‘not so traditional’ way according to society. Girls that grow up like me–without a father present–may think their dreams are too wild. With this platform, I’d like to let them know that absolutely no dream is too wild. I am proof that you can do anything you aspire to do if you stay committed and true to yourself. With or without an absentee parent, with or without lots of money, if you believe in you, you can conquer anything.” - @jamealynee⁣ ⁣ Click the link in bio to learn more about Jamea! ✨

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7) Meet Kathy Jacobs⁣⁣

8) Ariadna Gutierrez⁣⁣

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#SISwimSearch Sweet 17: Meet Ariadna Gutierrez⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ “I believe that Miss Universe changed my life. It was a moment where I suddenly went from being Miss Colombia to being the wrongly crowned girl at the Miss Universe pageant. At that moment in time, I thought I was living one of the most horrible experiences of my life, personally and professionally. I was representing Colombia, and did not want to disappoint a whole country that was counting on me. With this experience, I’ve learned that from the darkness we can create light. Of course, I was sad, depressed, and even embarrassed, but the truth of the matter is even though I went through that, it’s opened so many doors that might not have been opened if that moment didn’t happen. I am very lucky that that moment has brought me here, where I am able to represent not only my country, but the Latin community.” - @gutierrezary⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Click the link in bio to learn more about Ariadna! ✨

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9) Ashley Alexiss⁣

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#SISwimSearch Sweet 17: Meet Ashley Alexiss⁣ ⁣ “I’ve been curvy my entire life. Even at my smallest, I still had curves. I remember being bullied almost daily through elementary, middle, and high school, for my body. I’m still attacked for it to this very day… But I’ve always been the one to want to prove people wrong, and I wanted to do that in a way that would help others that could relate to my situation. When you truly understand that the beauty that you possess is in your complete control, your mindset changes. I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s okay. Accepting that is the biggest challenge. I like to share with people who struggle to love the skin they’re in that they only have one life and one body and wasting time hating it isn’t fair to them.” - @ashalexiss⁣ ⁣ Click the link in bio to learn more about Ashley! ✨

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10) Christie Valdiserri⁣⁣⁣

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#SISwimSearch Sweet 17: Meet Christie Valdiserri⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ “I truly believe we need to educate the next generation that beauty comes from who you are, not from what you look like. Associating hair with beauty was taught to us. We weren't born believing hair makes you pretty, but society has lead us to believe that. So I plan to let my personality and my positive nature shine through regardless of if I ever have hair on my head again. I want to show the confidence that I've worked so hard for and my love for life to radiate through my posts and through my presence everyday, so young girls or other women who are losing their hair or have been hiding under a wig for years have at least a small glimpse of hope. I want to give people the little push they need to go from being bald to being bold.” - @christie.valdiserri⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Click the link in bio to learn more about Christie! ✨

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11) Tanaye White⁣

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#SISwimSearch Sweet 17: Meet Tanaye White⁣ ⁣ “I battled with myself for months on whether I would make another video. I was so hurt when I didn't make it to the Top 6 because I felt so deeply that this dream of mine was finally going to come true. I talked over the decision with my friends and family and I was happy that they supported whatever choice I made, but overwhelmingly, everyone said to try again. Ultimately, I asked myself, ‘Is this something you want?’. And my answer was 'yes' without hesitation. So I knew, no matter what the outcome, I had to resubmit. I believe that if you truly have a dream, you have to fight for it at all costs or it really isn't a dream.” -@tanayedubz⁣ ⁣ Click the link in bio to learn more about Tanaye! ✨

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12) Florinda Estrada⁣⁣

13) JooJoo Hwang⁣⁣

14) Salina Jade⁣