The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is one of the most anticipated magazines in the U.S. It is considered a mecca for female models in this country. So far, it looks like this year's edition will feature Gone Girl star Emily Ratajkowski. However, she has some intense competitors including Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Yolanda Foster and Derek Jeter's girlfriend, Hannah Davis. Whoever wins has a tough act to follow after last year's 50th annual edition and its "Tribeca" of hotties.
The Swimsuit edition is, ironically, designed to fill the winter months. The first publication was released in 1964, and it featured Babette March in a five-page layout.
Since then, the publication has gained a huge following and has featured some of the hottest girls on the planet. In turn, it has been the topic of some controversy and is considered by some to degrade women athletes, and females in general.
Nevertheless, it has persisted through the years, and now its time has rolled around again. According to NY Daily News, this year will, most likely, feature GoneGirls' Emily Ratajkowski:
"Emily Ratajkowski is the front-runner for the coveted cover spot on this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue...the Gone Girl ctress' major competition for the magazine, which hits stands Feb. 9, is either Derek Jeter's girlfriend Hannah Davis or Gigi Hadid, the stunning model daughter of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Foster. 'Emily is the biggest buzz overall right now,' says our insider...Sports Illustrated has been grooming them, making sure to get them all coverage and prominence over the last year or so..."
True, she does have some stiff completion.
Regardless of whoever wins, they will have to be in tip top shape to compete with last year's edition. According to Sports Illustrated, the 50th anniversary was a special year:
"The cover of SI Swimsuit is some of the hottest real estate a supermodel can inhabit, [and] the 50th Anniversary Issue cover is the Tribeca triplex of American newsstands. And if the featured models Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen can be believed, they are delighted to occupy that space together. Of course you are going to hear that [like each other] from anybody that does a group shot, but this time it's true."
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