Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2016: Sports Illustrated announced that plus-size model Ashley Graham is one of its rookies of the year in the 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The 2016 issue's five rookies will be voted on by the public in an upcoming poll. Whichever rookie wins is guaranteed a spot in the 2017 issue as well.
Graham is the first plus-size model to ever receive the honor and be photographed for a spread in the annual magazine. Last year, she starred in an in-mag print ad for SwimsuitsforAll-and will repeat the gig again in 2016.
The 28-year-old model said being included is a "dream come true."
"It's official - I'm a @sinow swimsuit model!! This is a dream come true. Thank you to everyone..." Graham tweeted.
The announcement comes one year after Graham was the first-ever plus-size model featured before in the iconic swimsuit issue. She also stars in an ad in the magazine for swimwear brand SwimsuitsForAll, alongside Nicola Griffin.
"I thought Sports Illustrated was taking a risk by putting a girl my size in the pages," Graham told People magazine.
"But putting me on the cover? They aren't just breaking barriers; they are the standard now. This is beyond epic."
Graham was previously rejected for the magazine's annual swimsuit extravaganza.
"I see my cover and I wanted to drop to my knees but this dress would've ripped and I have Spanx on underneath this," Graham told People magazine.
Today, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit franchise reaches more than 70 million US adults annually and more men 18 to 34 than the Super Bowl. The iconic franchise spans more than 20 product extensions along with a vibrant experiential marketing business.
The fashion industry describes SI Swimsuit as the "Oscars of Swimwear," as an appearance in the issue is a crowning achievement for swimsuit and accessory manufacturers.
