Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue features Kim Kardashian, Maye Musk, Yumi Nu, Ciara

Kim Kardashian keeps stunning fans. First it was her jaw-dropping Marilyn Monroe look at this year’s Met Gala — and the spotlight continues for the star as she covers 2022’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. 

The magazine announced Monday this year’s cover models for its popular swim issue, which included the reality star and entrepreneur alongside singer Ciara and models Maye Musk and Yumi Nu.

Kardashian told the outlet that she “never thought in a million years” she’d be featured, especially at her age. Greg Swales photographed the 41-year-old, who wore in a nude bikini with matching nude gloves in the Dominican Republic.

“I vividly remember Tyra Banks on the cover and women with curves. I remember thinking that is so cool. But, I still didn’t think I would have … I thought you had to be a professional model and a runway model. It was always really young girls. I don’t want to date myself or sound old, but in my 40s? That’s crazy!” she said.

But if anyone is proving that age doesn’t matter in beauty, it’s Musk. At 74, she rocked the cover in a ruffled Maygel Coronel suit shot by Yu Tsai in Belize.

The author’s daughter Tosca praised her mom as an unstoppable force. “My mom is 74 now. In her years on this planet she’s earned two master’s degrees in nutrition science, won awards in the dietetics field, has been in countless fashion shows and editorials, and she’s even appeared in a Beyoncé video. She is an uncontainable force, and she’s the most fearless woman I’ve ever known.”

Ciara, 36, who is married to Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, donned her cover in an animal-print one-piece and a cowboy hat. She was photographed by Ben Watts in Barbados.

The youngest of the cover stars, 25-year-old Nu, made the Swimsuit cover after first debuting in the issue last year. The recording artist and plus-size model was photographed in Montenegro by James Macari. During her shoot, she wore swimsuits by brands such as Michael Costello x REVOLVE, Ola Vida, Riot Swim and more.

Nu cemented her place in history as the first plus-size model on the cover of Vogue Japan.

“I’m second-generation Japanese American, and Japanese culture values being skinny, dainty and small. So for me to be on the cover of Vogue Japan meant being seen and being honored by a culture that often makes people with bigger bodies like mine feel invisible,” she told Sports Illustrated.

Sports Illustrated’s 59th Swimsuit issue hits newsstands on May 19 with images and stories from “28 powerful and beautiful women.” Others featured include WNBA stars Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart and Duckie Thot, Kamie Crawford, and Olivia Ponton.

The issue also features 2021 Rookie of the Year Katrina Scott, who was photographed when she was six and a half months pregnant and model Kelly Hughes, who showed off and celebrated her C-section scar in her photos.