‘Soft porn’ sparks woke row – How Sports Illustrated stirs controversy as magazine turns 60
IT is the magazine that launched the careers of models like Kate Upton and Chrissy Teigan.
And 60 years after its launch, landing the cover of Sports Illustrated is now considered “the pinnacle of American modeling success.”
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Sports Illustrated was launched in 1954, 70 years ago today. The annual swimsuit issue was introduced ten years later and became the magazine’s most popular issue, selling more than a million copies at its peak.
The editor at the time, André Laguerre, came up with the idea of filling the pages during the quieter winter sports calendar. It was a great success, but it was not without controversy.
From being labeled soft porn to promoting plus-size nudity, we look back at the 60-year history of the swimsuit issue as the magazine itself turns 70…
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‘Soft Porn’ Cover
The magazine has had a number of supermodels on its cover, from Christie Brinkley to Tyra Banks and Elle Macpherson, who has starred in the magazine no fewer than five times.
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Three-time cover star Kate Upton even credited Sports Illustrated for her professional success: “Sports Illustrated really launched my career and I owe a lot to that.”
However, some critics are calling the footage “soft porn.”
There are a lot more scandalous pictures in the magazine when you open it up. It’s a girl in a bikini, and I think it’s empowering.”
ModelHannah Davis
In 2015, a racy photo of model Hannah Davis pulling down her scantily clad bikini bottoms was criticized as too suggestive.
American television programs ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today had to censor the cover so they could show it on screen.
Hannah defended her cover, saying: “I think it’s empowering, but I’ve heard it’s demeaning.
“There’s controversy every year, so I just think it’s ridiculous that they’re presenting it as the most important thing; I mean, it’s about the swimsuit issue.
“There are a lot more scandalous pictures in the magazine when you open it up. It’s a girl in a bikini, and I think it’s empowering.”
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Criticism of plus size
In 2016, Ashley Graham made history as the first plus-size model to grace the cover of the Swimsuit Issue, followed by Yumi Nu in 2022 and Hunter McGrady earlier this year.
Even Ashley was surprised that she was chosen and said People: “I thought Sports Illustrated was taking a risk by putting a girl my size in the pages.
“But putting me on the cover? They’re not just breaking barriers; they’re now the standard. This is beyond epic.”
Many supported the move to promote positive body image, but not everyone in the industry was happy with the choice of model Ashley (size 16). In addition, some criticized the magazine’s “woke” agenda.
Speaking to Naomi Campbell for the British supermodel’s YouTube series in 2020, Ashley revealed: “There was another model who was so angry that I got the cover.
“She said I was very big and that women of my size shouldn’t be on the cover.”
Speaking about Ashley’s role, Cheryl Tiegs, a three-time cover star who first appeared on the cover in 1970, said: “I don’t like it when we talk about full-figured women because it glorifies them. Your waist should be less than 35 inches.
“Her face is beautiful, but I don’t think it’s healthy in the long run.”
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“This is embarrassing… Ouch”
Not all cover stars proved popular with readers. In 2022, Kim Kardashian’s cover, which saw the reality star looking sensational in a gold bikini, drew criticism for not featuring someone who was “more deserving.”
A reader wrote: “This is embarrassing.
“After all you’ve worked on to show ordinary, everyday women being incredible… This is what you do? Ugh.”
Another added: “I won’t be buying one this year. Thanks Kim for saving me $10.”
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Sports Illustrated – A History
THE first cover star was German model Babette March in 1964.
Christie Brinkley was the first model to appear three years in a row, starting in 1979.
Elle Macpherson earned her nickname ‘The Body’ after appearing on the cover a record five times: first in 1986 and then again in 1987, 1988, 1994 and 2006.
In 1996, Tyra Banks became the first black woman to write for the magazine.
Beyoncé earned the coveted spot in 2007. The singing superstar was the first person who wasn’t a model or athlete to earn the spot.
In 2016 – the first Swimwear Issue to feature multiple covers – Ashley Graham became the first plus-size model to grace the cover.
In 2021, Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka became the first black female athlete cover model.
That same year, model and actress Leyna Bloom became the first openly transgender cover star and Megan Thee Stallion became the first rapper to appear on the cover.
In 2023, Kim Petras became the second trans woman to appear on the cover.
American businesswoman Martha Stewart was the oldest cover star of 2023 at the age of 81.
This year, Chrissy Teigen, Hunter McGrady, Kate Upton and Gayle King grace four separate covers for the magazine in honor of the franchise’s 60th anniversary.
But despite the controversy, the magazine is still a huge success.
In May 2023, the publication was widely praised for featuring 81-year-old Martha Stewart on its cover.
She called the decision “historic” and posed in ten different swimsuits.
“When I heard I was going to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, I thought, ‘Oh, that’s pretty cool. I’m probably going to be the oldest person to ever be on the cover of Sports Illustrated,'” she said.
“I don’t really think about age, but I do think this is historic.”
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