Leyna Bloom Makes History As Sports Illustrated’s First Trans Swimsuit Cover Star
Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue has quickly become one of the most inclusive mainstream publications around. Actively working to give more body types, shapes and sizes a platform, their annual issues have featured the likes of Ashley Graham, Hunter McGrady, Danielle Herrington and has launched many a modelling career.
This year, a new cover star makes history: Leyna Bloom is the first trans woman to be chosen to grace the cover of the Sports Illustrated!
The actor, model, dancer and activist joined Naomi Osaka and Megan Thee Stallion on the Opening Eyes, Speaking Truths, Changing Minds issue. Joining her in the Rookie Class of 2021 were Natalie Mariduena, Maggie Rawlins, Katrina Scott, Yumi Nu, Nyma Tang, Kathy Jacobs, and Tanaye White.
Talking about her cover in an Instagram post, Bloom dedicated her cover to “all ballroom femme queens past, present and future,” and acknowledged how important and impactful this level of representation is for the trans community and beyond. She added:
“I have dreamt a million beautiful dreams, but for girls like me, most dreams are just fanciful hopes in a world that often erases and omits our history and even existence. This moment is so powerful because it allows me to live forever even after my physical form is gone. Not a lot of people get to live in the future, so at this moment, I’m proudly choosing to live forever… This historical moment is important for #girlslikeus because it allows us to live and be seen. Many girls like us don’t have the chance to live our dreams, or to live long at all. I hope my cover empowers those, who are struggling to be seen, feel valued.”
Not only is Bloom making history as the first trans cover star, but she’s the first trans woman of colour to ever be featured, following Valentina Sampaio, the first trans woman to appear in its pages in 2020. But it’s not just in modelling that she’s made history: in 2019, Bloom became the first trans woman of colour to have a leading role in a film at the Cannes Film Festival.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue editor-in-chief MJ Day described Bloom’s cover as a “culmination of our powerful community coming together.” She added:
“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… Her story represents one grounded in resilience, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to help her tell it. Her presence as the first trans woman of colour to be in our issue is a result of her lifetime dedication to forging her own path.”
It’s wonderful to see a magazine lending their incredible platforms to even more incredible women and sharing more stories, and celebrating more bodies. We look forward to seeing how Leyna Bloom’s SI Swimsuit legacy paves the way for the trans community and continues to inspire women and girls across the world.
You can see some shots of the Rookies of 2021 below:
Image credit: Sports Illustrated
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