Today is a brand new day, and “CBS Morning” co-anchor Gayle King is the star of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover.
The broadcasting legend, who is set to turn 70 later this year, learned the news in a surprising moment on his Tuesday morning show.
When King interviewed this year's SI Swimsuit cover stars, models Hunter McGrady and Kate Upton, King's co-host Nate Burleson said, “Kate and Hunter are the only cover stars here right now.'' Not,” he said, referring to Oprah’s best friend and confidant.
“She's here!” Upton said before showing King a copy of her cover. This revelation sparked cheers and applause, with King saying, “I'm on the cover? They said I'd just be on the cover!”
Kate Upton, Sports Illustrated icon:Information on swimsuit cover supermodel from Florida
Do you want to rest? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
McGrady chimed in, “Yeah, you did it!” She further added that “sexy is not an age, and sexy is not a size,” and said King's cover was “so inspirational to women of all ages.” King also praised cover photographer Yu Tsai, who shot all of SI Swimsuit's covers. In addition to his own cover, King also appeared on a special Legends cover for the series.
King told the magazine that she didn't want her to be retouched for the SI Swimsuit shoot, and quipped that she ate a cheeseburger the day before the cover shoot.
“They said, 'What about retouching?'” I said, “I don't really want to retouch.” But I don't mind getting rid of some dimples on my thighs, but I really didn't want that,” King told the group.
Join Gayle King, Kate Upton and Chrissy Teigen to headline Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition
King, Upton and McGrady will headline the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover models, along with model and Cravings mogul Chrissy Teigen and 23 other cover models, celebrating the series' 60th anniversary with a special Celebrate with the cover of Legend.
This year's SI Swimsuit lineup also features Chanel Iman, Kristen Harper, host Cammy Crawford, Katie Austin, and Louisiana State University gymnastics star Olivia “Livi” Dunn. SI Swimsuit newcomers include Brittany Mahomes, Jenna Sims, Lori Harvey and Big 12 athletes Alexa Massari, Jasmine Williams and Jillian Hayes.
MJ Day, editor-in-chief of the SI Swimsuit website, said King is “a not-so-gentle reminder that women are limitless and in control of their destiny.”
“It wasn't something I dreamed of, but I never thought this would be possible, so this has been one of the highlights of everything I've done,” King told SI Swimsuit He told People magazine about it.
