Leyna Bloom has made Sports Illustrated history.
The trailblazing activist is the first transgender model to grace the magazine’s Swimsuit issue, which arrives on newsstands July 22.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit today announced this year’s cover models,
featuring Megan Thee Stallion, Naomi Osaka and Leyna Bloom. Megan was photographed by James
Macari, Leyna and Naomi were photographed by Yu Tsai.
Bloom, who got her start in the ballroom dance community, was already known as one of the first openly transgender models to walk the runway during New York Fashion Week in 2017.
The 27-year-old Chicago native, who identifies as Black and Filipina, reflected on the historical achievement on her social media channels with Monday’s big unveiling.
“This moment heals a lot of pain in the world. We deserve this moment; we have waited millions of years to show up as survivors and be seen as full humans filled with wonder,” she wrote.
Bloom has openly spoken about struggling to be signed to a modeling agency and land larger modeling jobs.
Supermodel Tyra Banks, the first Black woman to appear solo on the cover of the bikini bible in 1997, was on hand for a photo op with Bloom, who joins two other models for the 2021 SI Swimsuit cover — rapper Megan Thee Stallion and tennis pro Naomi Osaka — to mark three separate history-making covers.
“If there’s one thing that our cover models have in common, it’s that they don’t have one thing in common. They look different, have different upbringings, have different passions and inspirations. But each is a reminder that beauty comes in many forms,” Sports Illustrated editor MJ Day said.
The history-making selection of Bloom was announced by the magazine earlier this year.
“I never imagined that I will be born in the time when something like this will happen for someone with my skin tone, and with someone with my background,” Bloom told ABC News in March.
For her striking cover shot – wearing a white Gil Rodriguez one-piece – she was photographed by Yu Tsai at TK Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.
Bloom, who was previously named one of the “six women who are shaping the future of fashion” by Glamour magazine, has appeared in Vogue India, and campaigns for H&M and Levi’s.
“Leyna is legendary in the world of activism, strikingly gorgeous, and has an undeniable sense of self that shines through the minute she walks on set,” Day shared. “We are honored to have her in this year’s issue and understand the effect it will have on so many others. She joins our team, not because of what she represents but because of her beauty, commitment, and desire to leave the world a better place.”
