Stunning model Ashley Graham was a rookie when a photo of her splashing in the ocean in a teeny string bikini was so scorching hot in landed her on the cover of the iconic Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue her first time out.
The famous photo of Graham in the revealing purple Trunkettes swimsuit was captured by Jamas Macari.
SI Swim just revisited the legendary cover in a 2016 throwback as part of the viral “2026 is the new 2016 trend.”
“A size 14 at the time, Graham has been outspoken about how she was often told that she’d never make it as an editorial model,” reports Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. “Her SI Swimsuit cover, which marked the first time a plus-sized model was featured on the issue’s front page, was a major turning point—not only for Graham’s career, but for the industry as a whole.”
Now 38, a mother of three, and an author, Graham looked back at her modeling career — Vogue, Maxim, and Harper’s Bazaar — as part of that same “2016” trend. In her Instagram share, she proudly holds up her cover.
“What a time to be #tbt #2016,” she captioned the share.
“Wow this was the best one I’ve seen honestly!!” Raved one commenter. “You have been THAT GURLLLLLL.”
“Absolutely iconic!!!!!” Agreed another.
MORE SI SWIM: SI Swim revisits steamier times with very risqué 2016 cover
MORE SI SWIM: McCaffrey’s wife flaunts ‘wild side’ in scorching SI Swim bikini shoot
“The moment when everything changed 🥹❤️,” added a third.
“You inspired SO many that year and it was only the beginning 🥹🥰❤️,” wrote a fourth.
READ MORE!
- World champ flaunts ‘bikini lover’s dream’ body in hip-baring birthday fit
- Sizzling SI Swim model dances, twirls in teeny string bikini
- Koepka’s wife dances with hot model friends during PGA return drama
- Tom Brady’s supermodel ex’s kinky, bondage-inspired pics polarize fans