Reality stars, influencers and models turned out in droves for the launch of the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in New York on Thursday.
As expected, the women didn’t hold back when it came to pushing the envelope on the red carpet.
From plunging necklines and sheer fabric to dangerously high splits, the fashion on display left little to the imagination.
Social media star Remi Bader was hard to miss in a completely see-through black dress that revealed her slimmed-down physique.
The former plus-size influencer, who had bariatric surgery to lose weight after becoming famous, confidently flaunted her slim figure as she cycled through various poses.
Not to be outdone, fellow influencer Sarah Nicole Landry turned heads in a completely sheer bodysuit.
The mom-of-four added a black skirt to the look, but her breasts were still on full display and only covered by black tape.
Social media star Remi Bader led the pack at the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue launch party in New York on Thursday
The former plus-size influencer, who had bariatric surgery to lose weight after becoming famous, confidently flaunted her slim figure
Cover girl Livvy Dunne put on a cheeky display in an unbelievably short mini-dress that could barely cover up her derriere.
DJ and influencer Xandra Pohl showed off her cleavage and long legs in a flirty little frock, while Australian model Elisha Herbert dared to bare in a sheer skin tight dress.
Spanish model Lorena Duran was completely covered in a long-sleeved dress with a high neck, but the print on the garment featured a naked woman’s torso.
Lauren Chan, a Canadian model and advocate for size inclusivity, is one of four women gracing the cover of this year’s issue, joining Salma Hayek, gymnast Jordan Chiles, and college athlete Livvy Dunne.
‘I’m the first out lesbian on the cover — with her own cover — and how much that means to me makes that surprise feel so overwhelming,’ Chan told People.
‘That’s where I feel like the tears of joy and celebration and relief and community come from.’
Many fans rushed to congratulate her, while others questioned why it was even being discussed at all, posting comments like, ‘How is her sex life anybody’s business?’ and ‘It’s 2025. Nobody cares.’
Spanish model Lorena Duran was completely covered in a long-sleeved dress with a high neck, but the print on the garment featured a naked woman’s torso
Livvy Dunne and Denise Bidot both showed off their derrieres on the red carpet
Jena Sims Koepka showed off her underwear and golden brown spray tan
Not to be outdone, fellow influencer Sarah Nicole Landry turned heads in a completely sheer bodysuit and black skirt
Mature model Maye Musk looked flirty and elegant in a hot pink feathered frock
Another user wrote, ‘She’s beautiful. Why can’t we just focus on the cover? Why is it all about sexuality? Smh.’
Sports Illustrated has faced similar criticism in recent years for breaking traditional beauty standards.
In 2020, Valentina Sampaio became the first transgender model featured in the issue.
In 2021, Leyna Bloom became the first transgender cover star, followed by pop star Kim Petras landing a cover in 2023.
Chan herself even fired back at critics.
The body positivity advocate took to social media after someone left a dismissive comment on a photo from her return to the magazine, which shows her posing on a Bermudan beach in an off-white lace two-piece.
Jordan Chiles flashed the flesh and showed off her various tattoos
DJ and influencer Xandra Pohl showed off her cleavage and long legs in a flirty little frock
Socialite and model Brooks Nader proved that she wasn’t afraid of a plunging neckline
Lauren Chan, a Canadian model and advocate for size inclusivity, is one of four women gracing the cover of this year’s issue
Renee Herbert and Elisha Herbert proudly flaunted their slender figures in sheer gowns
She posted a screenshot of the remark, left by an Instagram user named Caiser Hogan, who wrote, ‘Who are they even doing this for anymore? Women?? This makes zero sense.’
Chan didn’t hold back. In the post, she responded, ‘This is exactly why I show up in this space with my full chest.’
She added that the magazine is meant for women — for representation and inspiration — not as ‘an objectifying catalogue of fantasy for patriarchal pawns.’
In a second slide, she cheekily added, ‘wait ’til he finds out I’m a lesbian.’
In the caption, Chan explained the comment ‘struck a chord with me’ and said she deliberately left it up for everyone to see.
‘The inclusion of myself and other folks that represent minorities in SI Swimsuit signifies an evolution in how women are allowed to exist in this society and which women deserve respect,’ she wrote.
Influencer Alix Earle put on a chic display in a long black gown with a plunging neckline
Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe stunned in a stylish semi-sheer frock
Model and reality star Nicole Williams covered up in a leggy business look
Salma Hayek also went for an elegant, feathered look, but still showed some cleavage
‘This man is insinuating that because I am a size 14, Asian and Middle Eastern, a lesbian, etc., that I am unattractive to him individually and that therefore no man, based on the patriarchal beauty standard, could deem me worthy of being in this publication.’
Chan went on to explain that the magazine is helping to redefine beauty ‘through the female gaze,’ and that every woman should feel seen in its pages.
‘It is not an outdated, objectifying catalogue of fantasy for patriarchal pawns. If that makes men feel irrelevant and angry enough to throw a tantrum in my comments … I see no issue publicly and permanently addressing them,’ she said.
She signed off by throwing her full support behind the magazine’s mission, writing that she believes in it ‘with [her] whole heart,’ and declaring: ‘SI Swimsuit 2025 is for the girls.’