Sports Illustrated 2020 Swimsuit issue reveals cover starring Kate Bock, Olivia Culpo and Jasmine Sanders
Sports Illustrated has revealed its 2020 Swimsuit issue cover featuring Kate Bock, Olivia Culpo and Jasmine Sanders.
This is the iconic magazine's 58th Swimsuit issue and has further skyrocketed the careers of everyone from Christie Brinkley and Tyra Banks to Kathy Ireland and Ashley Graham.
On this year's cover, Bock, Culpo and Sanders were all photographed by Yu Tsai wearing black swimsuits along with gold chained accessories.
"Oh my God, that's the cover? Wait a minute," Sanders told "Good Morning America," speaking to how stunned she was to see it. "So I initially dropped to the floor. I thought it was crazy," she said with a smile.
The photo shoot occurred in Bali, Indonesia, and serves as the first time any of them have been featured on the cover of the highly coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
So much has changed in the world since the models' photo shoot and they all have been trying to keep perspective in addition to using their platforms for good.
"It's a time for all of us to just pause and take the time to realize that even with COVID going on, with all the protesting going on -- we're able to take that moment in our life to really pause and check on the others in our life that really matter," said Sanders.
She continued, "I feel like working with Sports Illustrated Swim has definitely given me more of a voice."
They were asked by ABC News Correspondent Erielle Reshef, "What do you say to people who may be critical of these types of spreads in a swimsuit edition, where they see a bunch of beautiful models in swimsuits looking perfect. How do you convince people that you are substantive and have a message?"
Bock responded, "I feel like actions speak louder than words. "All you can do is look at the girls, the women who've been so successful, who have created not only paths and careers to follow for other women, but also created so much opportunity because they're truly powerhouses."
Culpo took to Instagram to express her gratitude for her feature saying,"Wow! I really am speechless and this still doesn't feel real."
She also reflected on how she manifested her big cover moment by putting it on a vision board four years ago.
"I just hope this can show anyone out there that their goals, big or small, really can come true and that you deserve it," Culpo added to a caption.
The 2020 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue features models of diverse body types, races and genders.
Last week, Valentina Sampaio became the first openly transgender Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model to grace the pages of the highly anticipated annual publication.
"I'm excited and honored to be part of the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The team at SI has created yet another groundbreaking issue by bringing together a diverse set of multitalented, beautiful women in a creative and dignified way," Sampaio said in a statement.
