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Models, celebrities and athletes alike flocked the red carpet at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City on Thursday, May 18, for the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue premiere event.
The carpet kicked off with the publication’s editor in chief, MJ Day. She said that this year’s four cover models—Martha Stewart, Megan Fox, Kim Petras and Brooks Nader—each encompass a broad breadth of beauty, achievement and inspiration.
“I’m hoping that they speak to a lot of women and a lot of women can see themselves represented in them,” Day shared. “They’re also just like extraordinary, badass, really inspirational people that have forged different paths, but keep railing against society and limitations and they’re really creating their own rule book, which I love for them. They’re not really listening to anybody else about what they should or shouldn’t do. And I think that’s an important lesson for all of us.”
The celebration even featured themed cocktails for each of the four cover models, including Stewart’s 19 Crimes chardonnay. Franchise models past and present made an appearance on the red carpet, from rookies Sixtine and Melissa-Wood Tepperberg to brand favorites like Katie Austin, Christen Harper and Hunter McGrady. Supportive partners were also on deck, as Rob Gronkowski and Machine Gun Kelly both surprised Camille Kostek and Fox, respectively.
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German pop star and cover model Kim Petras hit the red carpet wearing a Zimmerman gown with seashell detailing, which she said “is giving very beachy Sports Illustrated.”
“[Posing for photographer Yu Tsai in Los Angeles] was a very freeing experience and I feel like a changed person a little bit,” Petras admitted, noting that she felt a huge confidence boost after posing for the publication.
While Martha Stewart’s 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue cover nearly broke the internet on Monday upon its release, the 81-year-old lifestyle guru says that the response has been overwhelming.
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“The coverage is incredible actually, and [the public’s] response is incredible because I think it just tells every woman in the world just to try again. If she’s not feeling great, look in the mirror, try again,” Stewart shared. “I hope we can encourage every woman in the world to feel better about living well.”
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Fans may be surprised to learn that as a Hollywood mega star, Fox considers herself an introvert who doesn’t feel totally comfortable in the limelight, but she shares that she’s incredibly happy with how her photo shoot with Greg Swales in the Dominican Republic went.
“The photos turned out so well. Everybody was so cooperative and so kind and made it an easy experience,” Fox gushed. “So overall, I’m really happy.”
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As for Nader, who returned to the publication for her fifth year with SI Swimsuit, she summed up her cover girl moment succinctly: “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is iconic as hell, and so to be here with them on the cover is just kind of next level for me,” she says.
After walking the red carpet, the models were treated to a cocktail party and an after-event full of food, drinks and dancing. The 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue launch party continues in Hollywood, Fla., May 19 through 21 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Click here to learn more about the launch of the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue in Florida, including Instagrammable moments, activities, celebrity guests, live entertainment and more,
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