It's been over two decades since Tyra Banks made history with her iconic Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover, and now she's back out of modeling retirement to grace the cover of the magazine once again.
On the new issue, the 45-year-old television personality, actress, and entrepreneur can be seen posing in a yellow string bikini in the Bahamas, a look that was inspired by her solo cover in 1997. “We couldn’t find the exact one in the archives," Banks said about the photo shoot, "it was the polka dot bikini so we recreated that bikini, I recreated [the shoot] 25 pounds heavier.”
She went on to speak to the significance of the moment on Good Morning America, enthusiastically stating: “My first one was 23 years ago, how crazy is that, I’m like damn, I’m 45 dog!”
The occasion marks Banks third time on the Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover, as prior to the polka dot bikini shoot that made her the first black woman to grace the cover alone, she was featured alongside model Valeria Mazza in 1996.
It should be noted that Banks is one of three women that are getting their own 2019 cover, as she's joined by USA National Women’s Soccer team star and Olympic gold medalist, Alex Morgan, as well as Camille Kostek, the 2018 SI Swimsuit Model Search winner and 2019 SI Swimsuit Rookie.
Source: People
