Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue features unedited photos for first time ever
'This is for every girl who never felt like she could live up to unrealistic images in magazines'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sports Illustrated’s latest issue includes unedited photos for the first time ever.
This month, the magazine launched its 2018 Swimsuit Edition in dedication to the #MeToo movement with a nude photoshoot featuring one of its most diverse line-ups yet.
The cast is made up of five mothers, five world-famous athletes, four published authors, two plus-size women, an all-female crew, and features the third black woman ever to appear on the cover since the annual issue launched in 1964.
And, while all of this is seriously impressive it’s the absence of photoshop that has really set tongues wagging.
For the first time ever Sports Illustrated has featured a series of unedited photos for its “In Her Words” spread in a bid to champion female empowerment and challenge the way that women are presented in the media.
Now, one of the cast’s plus-size models – Hunter McGrady - has spoken out about what the provocative photoshoot means to her.
For McGrady, the shoot was about so much more than simply creating beautiful photos for a magazine, it was a chance to speak to women on a very real level and quickly became “a very personal, intimate, empowering and profound moment in our lives,” she explained to Sports Illustrated.
“A blinded and brainwashed society has tried to convince me that as a tall blonde woman with a pretty face, I’d never be taken seriously.
“Additionally, I was told that I would never make it as a model because I wasn’t thin enough, had stretch marks, cellulite on my legs, rolls when I sat down, and less than perfect skin.”
However, McGrady says that she realised nothing was more disheartening than trying to be someone she’s not, and as such, embraced the concept behind the “In Her Words” spread entirely.
“This particular shoot is for every little girl who has never felt like she could live up to the expectations and unrealistic, inauthentic images she sees daily in the magazines, on TV, in the movies, and on billboards blanketing the world,” she said.
“This issue, this shoot, these personal and honest words are for you. We want you to know we hear you, we see you, you matter.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments