Source: Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty
Congratulations to both Valentina Sampaio and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for breaking new boundaries! The magazine has included the 23-year-old as one of their rookie models this year — the first time the issue has featured a transgender model.
Sampaio also made history last year when she became Victoria Secrets first openly trans model.
The announcement has come with a lot of support and pride from SI Swimsuit. Today the brand posted several messages about the rookie.
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Sampaio was quoted in the caption saying:
“I am 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.
I was born trans in a remote, humble fishing village in northern Brazil. Brazil is a beautiful country, but it also hosts the highest number of violent crimes and murders against the trans community in the world—three times that of the U.S.
Being trans usually means facing closed doors to peoples’ hearts and minds. We face snickers, insults, fearful reactions and physical violations just for existing. Our options for growing up in a loving and accepting family, having a fruitful experience at school or finding dignified work are unimaginably limited and challenging.” -Valentina Sampaio @valentts
Her message was followed by a warning from SI to prevent commenters from making unkind remarks:
Our Instagram channel is a platform for inspiration, inclusivity and support. SI Swimsuit will not tolerate any hateful or offensive comments. Those who violate these terms will be deleted, blocked & reported.
We love that they are making it clear no nastiness will be tolerated!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCdn2FYHKdP/
The same message was included when they posted a video of Valentina talking about her journey in her own words.
“I feel strong, and I feel inspired to fight, not just for me but for everyone that I represent.” -Valentina Sampaio
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Valentina did an Instagram Live with @glaad today to discuss joining the SI Swimsuit family.
You can watch the interview with GLAAD below:
Can you believe Valentina is one of 7 kids?! Ironically, there are seven other rookies in Valentina’s class; Brooks Nader, Josephine Skriver, Lorena Duran, Kim Riekenberg, Marquita Pring, Anita Marshall, and Hyunjoo Hwang. Hit the flip to see them all.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue hits newsstands on July 21.
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We’ve been following Marquita Pring’s modeling career for a few years now and were excited to see that this year SI had multiple curvy black models join the ranks.
Marquita spoke to this issue of representation in a quote the magazine used to caption her photo on their page:
“For me being a part of this issue shows how much progress curvy women have made in this industry and I’m so proud to be a part of that growth. Growing up I had always fantasized about gracing these pages but it never once seemed like a possibility until the past few years. I‘m excited to be a part of such an iconic issue that has managed to evolve with the times. The fact that I can represent for curvy women of color is a dream come true, especially in 2020 when the world is waking up to the fact that black is beautiful and that we need more representation.”
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Marquita hasn’t posted any additional SI shots yet but we loved this one from her own files.
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Anita Marshall is another curvy model we have featured before who is also in the same rookie class as Valentina and Marquita. She also spoke about the importance of diversity when she spoke about accepting the invite to be a SI rookie.
“So many emotions came to mind when I was presented with the opportunity to be a Sports Illustrated Rookie. My initial feeling was disbelief, coupled with complete happiness to have a voice and be a platform for change. Growing up as a little girl in Boston I didn’t see myself represented anywhere in fashion. At that time there was limited diversity as a beauty standard. I tried to fit in, but quickly realized that I was different and destined to break boundaries! I would not accept the public opinion of what “normal” should look like. Fast forward to 2020 where my new normal has shifted to being that quirky girl gracing the pages of SI in braids! So, to that little kid who may not feel seen I just want to say – keep dreaming because no dream is too big or wild!!”
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We’re used to Chrissy Teigen being one of the few Asian faces in SI, so it was great to see Hyunjoo Hwang – aka Joo Joo as friends call her — also in the rookie class.
“Being a part of the SI Swim family is truly a dream come true. This is an opportunity for me to get that message out to other Asian women and say you’re beautiful! You can be sexy and celebrate your body the way you are and it’s ok! It’s such an honor that I can help do that. My experience with SI Swimsuit has added another positive experience to my journey as a woman.”
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Hyunjoo posed some BTS from her shoots. The Korean model is also a talented ballet dancer.
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“It’s a huge honor for me to be a rookie this year! Many models in the magazine I’ve followed and admired for a very long time during my career, so to be alongside them in the pages of SI Swimsuit is a huge accomplishment. Now being a positive role model for young women feels surreal and a dream come true. Two years ago I started this process with Swim Search and got to meet the SI Swimsuit family. Their enthusiasm, expertise, and unique approach has helped me grow so much as a individual and evolve as a model.”
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“Being constantly pushed, inspired, and surrounded by strong, diverse, and beautiful women inside and out was the highlight of working with SI Swimsuit and what makes it an absolute dream. It is truly a family and a place where women can feel empowered and beautiful in their own ways!”
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“I always like to say that beauty comes from within and I am so thankful I was adopted into the SI Swimsuit family who are standing for so many beautiful things to make us women feel confident and stronger than ever. You are you and that is your power, with all your perfect imperfections“
