The queen of a sexy poolside selfie just landed the ideal new gig — as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model! The lifestyle guru Martha Stewart loves breaking the internet by posting glam photos of herself looking ageless. She’s shared snaps by the pool and many in her hairstylist’s chair nailing the perfect selfie pout. Now, she is making her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue debut as a 2023 cover star.
To announce the news, Stewart, 81, stopped by TODAY and said getting asked to be in the issue was a request she’s never had before. “To be on the cover at my age was a challenge. And I think I met the challenge,” she said. “I’m sort of shaking because it’s odd to go to an island and get changed into nine different bathing suits in one day in front of all those people. I like that picture. … And it turned out okay!”
🌴 @MarthaStewart is opening up to @SavannahGuthrie and @hodakotb about shooting the @SInow cover, preparing for this ‘challenge,’ finding confidence from a young age, and more. pic.twitter.com/lnss1byCjn
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 15, 2023
To prep, she took a balanced approach. “I didn’t starve myself, but I didn’t eat any bread or pasta for a couple of months,” Stewart said. She explained that she went to Pilates “every other day and that was great” — it’s something she’s continued to do post-shoot. “And I just, I live a clean life anyway — good diet and good exercise and healthy skincare and all of that stuff.”
The lifestyle entrepreneur began her career as a model before working as a stockbroker and eventually building her namesake empire. For Stewart, change is something she embraces. “When you’re through changing, you’re through. That’s one of my mottos,” Stewart said. “And so change is very good, evolution is very good, trying new things — being fearless is very good. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of anything.
She added, “I hope [the cover] does give people, women especially, an opportunity to revisit their lives and get with the picture.”
Other 2023 cover stars include actress Megan Fox, singer Kim Petras and model Brooks Nader. “Our goal with the 2023 issue is to continue to evoke captivating and thought-provoking conversations,” said MJ Day, SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief. “While the industry wavers on its arbitrary notion of beauty, our issue has stayed the course, showcasing the women of today, the women shaping the future. This year, we’re featuring an extremely diverse group of women starting with our cover models, who are collectively the most unapologetic women from different walks of life who continue to forge their own paths on their own terms.”
She continued, “Martha Stewart is a legend. The definition of a great female entrepreneur who built a dynasty against insurmountable odds. Megan Fox is a superwoman with superpowers. She’s intelligent, boundary-breaking and strong, fighting against the constant objectification she’s endured from the industry. Kim Petras is an inspiration to us all. As a Grammy winning singer-songwriter, a beacon of inspiration for the trans and LGBTQ+ community, she empowers and encourages her followers simply through her perseverance. And Brooks Nader, who started her modeling career through our Swim Search program, has been such an amazing part of our brand and has proven to the world through her hard work and dedication that she is a force to be reckoned with. These women, alongside our other models, refuse to allow themselves to be limited by existing societal norms and are incredible examples on how to harness talent, passion, persistence, perseverance, fortitude, curiosity, and unabashed desire to evolve.”
Bracelets by Noir provided by New York. Vintage Earrings by Electric Picks X Brooks Nader. The 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is on newsstands May 18
The publication has become known for tapping big-name stars and representing all body types through their models. Last year, Kim Kardashian landed her first-ever SI Swim cover, alongside singer Ciara, model/activist Maye Musk and model Yumi Nu. The year before, rapper Megan Thee Stallion, transgender actress Leyna Bloom and tennis champion Naomi Osaka were all front and center.
