Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue reveals its first MALE Swim Search finalist | Daily Mail Online
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has revealed the finalists in its 2021 Swim Search — and for the first time ever, a male model has made the cut.
Lewis Freese, a 21-year-old from Minneapolis, Minnesota was one of many to enter the virtual model search amid the pandemic — and though making it into the final 15 is a big deal, Lewis told People that 'the entire concept of being the first male does not phase me.'
'I really don't view myself as the first but as the next,' he said. 'The next model to break a barrier, the next model to have these uncomfortable conversations, the next model to be unapologetically myself.'
The 15 finalists were unveiled online on Monday, and Lewis immediately took to Instagram to celebrate.
'I literally don't even know what to do or say but I am so so so beyond myself right now,' he wrote.
'This dream started years ago and what once seemed almost impossible is finally coming true. I cannot thank @si_swimsuit @mj_day and the entire si swim team for allowing me to spread my message throughout their platform.'
Will the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue have a male on the cover? / LGBTQ Nation
21-year-old Lewis Freese is the first male finalist of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 's annual Swim Search , a contest to be featured in the 2021 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue .
Freese, who identifies as male but considers himself genderfluid, is rather sanguine about the historic nature of the chance, telling People Magazine that "the entire concept of being the first male does not phase me."
"I really don't view myself as the first but as the next," he said. "The next model to break a barrier, the next model to have these uncomfortable conversations, the next model to be unapologetically myself. I am so grateful to be a part of a group of finalists who all represent completely different messages, yet have the same goal, to further inclusivity."
The Minnesota native was wrestling with his gender identity when he saw the casting call for the contest.
"It was hard for me to find a lot of people on mainstream media platforms discussing these issues," he said. So he decided to enter, hoping to "bring this discussion to the brand."
"My message is so much more about gender variety and how every person's gender presents itself differently," Freese said. "With those differences comes a need for acceptance so we can all inspire, encourage, and love each other regardless of how we identify."
Miss USA contestant applies to become the first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model with Down
A Miss USA contestant has applied to become the first model with Down Syndrome to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.
Mikayla Holmgren, 26, from Marine St Croix, Minnesota , left the stage with two awards after impressing judges at the Miss Minnesota contest.
As part of her mission to make the modelling world more inclusive, she was the first woman with Down syndrome to take part in the beauty pageant.
Mikayla was the first woman with Down Syndrome to compete in the Miss Minnesota beauty pageant. Pictured: Mikayla Holmgren at Minnesota state's preliminary competition for the Miss USA beauty pageant in 2017, winning the 'Spirit of Miss USA' award and the Director's award
The model entered the magazine's annual Swim Search - an open online casting that allows budding stars to submit applications in the hopes of landing a spot in the next Swimsuit Issue.
Mikayla recorded a video explaining why she would be perfect - and why it's time the publication made her the first model with Down syndrome to feature in its pages.
'To have Down syndrome in it is really to show others they can be more accepting. Sports Illustrated Swim has been such a champion of the diversity of beauty. Now is the time to include someone like me,' she said.
'I am a dancer, a model, public speaker, and college graduate. I am the first woman with Down syndrome to compete in the Miss USA state pageant.
Sports Illustrated features first ever male model in annual swim search | The Independent
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has revealed the finalists for its 2021 Swim Search competition and, for the first time, a male model has made the list.
Freese is the first male in the history of the competition to make it as a finalist. Speaking to People magazine he said: "The entire concept of being the first male does not phase me."
"The next model to break a barrier, the next model to have these uncomfortable conversations, the next model to be unapologetically myself.
"I am so grateful to be a part of a group of finalists who all represent completely different messages, yet have the same goal, to further inclusivity."
Freese first applied for Swim Search in 2019, a time when he says he was "dealing with a lot of confusion". He explained: "I was confused about my identity, my gender, and really where I was going to go."
In his interview with People magazine, the 21-year-old said he wanted to bring these discussions around gender and identity to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit .
The caption said: "Going through this process i have learned so much about myself and most importantly my identity. to be honest, i have noooo clue where my gender really falls at the moment but all i can do is take things day by day and share every moment with all of you."
Freese added that it was "so much bigger than me and you" and that it was about "starting a conversation that is barely being had".
The annual competition has been run virtually this year, as a result of the pandemic. An announcement on the Swim Search website said that the result was "bigger and better".
Jared Goff's girlfriend Christen Harper scores SI Swimsuit shoot
Camille Kostek and Olivia Culpo aren’t the only NFL WAGs to make a splash in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition .
On Monday, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff gave props to his model girlfriend Christen Harper , who recently landed a place in the iconic publication.
“So so proud of you!! @christenharper… Love you!” Goff gushed on his Instagram Story along with a pic of Harper modeling for the mag.
“Went outside your comfort zone and made your dream come true,” the 26-year-old signal-caller continued.
Should Harper be selected, she’ll join the ranks of past cover stars Kostek and Culpo , who are the girlfriends of NFL standouts Rob Gronkowski and Christian McCaffrey.
“Instead of just accepting that and moving on I decided to take things into my own hands and chase this dream myself! This is a sign to go after your dreams and never look back!!!” the 27-year-old continued.
In October, Harper announced she had entered Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s swim search. In her audition tape , Harper spoke about her desire to promote body positivity.
"It took a long time to fully love my body for all that it is, but I am standing here today happier and more confident than ever. I want to inspire other women to feel the same way and to treat their body the way they would a best friend…love her, respect her and ultimately believe in her,” she said at the time.
“So grateful I got to be part of this journey with you for the last 3 seasons in LA,” Harper wrote on her Instagram story. “@Jaredgoff I love you so much and so excited for this new adventure.”
1st male model finalist makes Sports Illustrated search history - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham
Olivia Culpo Is Raising The Temperature In This Tiny Bikini For 'Sports Illustrated Swimsuit' -
The model and influencer just revealed on Instagram that she had been asked to pose for the iconic swimwear issue for the fifth time (!) in 2021.
“Feeling so grateful to be back with @si_swimsuit this year!!!” she wrote on the platform on March 22nd. Congrats!
The 28-year-old beauty is seen looking absolutely flawless in a rose-colored bikini from Tropic Of C (fellow model Candice Swanepoel’s swim line) in the pages.
Tagging editor MJ Day as well as hair stylist Lauren Kunijo , makeup artist Tracy Murphy , and tan artist Isabel Alysa on the post, Culpo proved that it truly does take a village to pull off these major magazine shoots! Snaps to all the glam and post-production stars for this one.
In a stroke of luck, her exact South Pacific Top in the "Adobe" color is available online--and is even currently marked down to $74, down from $100. You know we love a good deal!
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