It was drizzling outside, but it was hot under the awning that covered the 10-foot red carpet in front of the Hard Rock Hotel. Supermodels from all eras stayed dry for perfect photos as they arrived in Midtown to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
This issue's cover stars Gayle King, Chrissy Teigen, Kate Upton, and Hunter McGrady. Dr. King's cover has been widely praised, largely because it continues the magazine's progress in moving away from its longtime trademark of young, perky cover models.
As King made his way down the red carpet, he passed through the entrance to the Music Row venue where the party began. Because she was in a hurry, she had to run to Rockefeller Center for the taping of “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon.
“I was very happy and honored that they made that choice,” King said of being chosen for the cover. “I've always been told I'm an insider, so I was excited just to be made that way. So when the cover came out and I was there, it just goes to show that anything is possible.”
The swimsuit issue comes after months of controversy for the magazine. Digital media company Arena Group, which has operated the magazine since 2019, had threatened to discontinue publication of the print edition. A new buyer appeared in March. Minute Media, a sports-focused digital media company, also stepped in and announced its intention to continue with the print edition.
But MJ Day, editor-in-chief of the swimsuit issue, says the ability to change is built into the magazine's DNA, whether it's the publication's owner or the cover star.
“Historically, this brand has always been one step ahead,” Day said at the top of the red carpet after greeting Tyra Banks. “Whether it's putting a model's name on the cover to give it branding potential or putting Tyra Banks on the cover as the first black woman to be on the cover of a single issue magazine.”
Among those attending the celebration was Maye Musk, who walked the red carpet wearing a cardinal red sequined kaftan. Ms. Musk, who appeared on the cover of her swimsuit issue in August 2022 at age 74, said she has been a model for 50 years and that she has lived a full life.
“This is so important because it gives women so much hope,” Musk said over the sound of police sirens, which he called “the music of New York.”
“Even if you're 19 and you see a 76-year-old model on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it gives you hope.”
Martha Stewart, the oldest cover model in the issue's history, also appeared on the red carpet wearing “head to toe Brunello Cucinelli,” she said. Ms. Stewart posed for her cover last year at the age of 81. Although she doesn't like to be called a legend – “Legends are dead,” she said – she enjoys it.
“I think it helped other women think, 'Oh, she looks great, maybe I can look great too,'” Stewart said. “And that's very important to me. It's good to lead by example.”
Upton, who first appeared in Swimsuit Issue in 2011 at the age of 19, has seen the issue evolve firsthand.
“It feels really surreal,” said Upton, 31, who wore a black lace dress by Dolce & Gabbana. “When you start modeling, you never know you'll get this position. It's beyond what is considered the peak of a modeling career. It's truly an honor. ”
Inside, reproductions of old Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue covers, dating back to the first issue in 1964, adorned the walls. DJs provided a soundtrack ranging from Miley and Cyrus to Ice Spice, and a giant screen showed video footage of the moment the models found out they had been selected for the commemorative issue.
Around 8pm, the dance floor was still sparse, but the bar was crowded. Slowly, the tide began to turn, and Chanel Iman joined her husband, Davon Godchaux, a defensive tackle for the New England Patriots, in a bejeweled Bronx and Banco minidress to the music. They jumped together. Molly Sims took a selfie and her model Jasmine Sanders danced.
The attention of many athletes, supermodels, and influencers quickly split in two directions.
To the left were NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany, flanked by security, a group of friends, and Martin Luther King, who magically reappeared. On the right side of the dance floor, the gravitational pull was towards Chrissy Teigen and her husband, musician John Legend.
When Ja Rule took to the stage, the scattered and loud crowd came together. After the rapper finished singing a few of his early 2000s hits, he was joined by his friend and frequent collaborator Fat Joe.
Retired NFL star Rob Gronkowski towered over just about everyone. As he danced to “Lean Back,” he waved to Mahomes, flashed his signature goofy grin and said “hello.” Mahomes waved him back, took a swig of beer and danced with his wife.
Moments later, Mahomes ran from the venue. Caught on cue, Fat Joe ended his set after a lively rendition of DJ Khaled's “All I Do is Win.” Minutes later, Mr. Legend and Mr. Teigen similarly scampered off, but then exchanged a quick hug with Mr. Day.
By then, Dr. King was once again long gone.
