Most people don’t expect to see a 58-year-old woman on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Even Salma Hayek couldn’t believe it when she was chosen. The Mexican actress, who has long admired the magazine, admitted she never imagined gracing its cover, especially not at this stage of her life.
The 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue isn’t just about bikinis and beachside glamour. This year’s edition is a celebration of diversity, strength, and empowerment. With 38 remarkable women featured, ranging from athletes to activists, it is clear the magazine is embracing all kinds of beauty.
Salma Hayek felt like an impostor for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover
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Despite her decades in the spotlight, Salma didn’t feel ready. She doubted her body, her place, and whether she still fit into what people expected from a swimsuit cover star. In her interview with the magazine, the Frida actress opened up about the fear she carried into the shoot. She even considered pulling out at the last minute. “I didn’t feel confident. I didn’t feel like I belonged there,” she shared.
While she was standing by the ocean, trying to fight off nerves, something unexpected happened: a whale appeared in the water near the set. To her, it felt like a sign. The fear began to fade and she felt calm, strong, and ready. “It was almost like the universe was reminding me that I had every right to be there,” she said. From that moment, her confidence soared. Her smile relaxed, and every pose began to tell a story of a woman embracing who she was.
For the shoot, Salma tried on nearly 100 swimsuits. She even lost an entire bag filled with altered pieces. Still, her presence stole the show. Each look highlighted both elegance and resilience. The styles ranged from bold to classic, but what stood out most were her images. They made her look unbothered, joyful, and authentic. She just showed up as herself, and that made all the difference. “I didn’t want to be airbrushed into someone I’m not,” she said. “I just wanted to feel good in my skin.”
38 other women were featured on the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Salma is just one of the many faces featured in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Among them is Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, who brought power and personality to her shoot.“I’ve learned to take up space, even when I feel like I don’t fit the mold,” Jordan said.
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Influencer and college gymnast Livvy Dunne added a Gen Z touch to the pages. With millions of followers, Dunne uses her platform to advocate for confidence and authenticity. Model and entrepreneur Lauren Chan also brought her advocacy for body diversity and sustainable fashion to the forefront. She made history as the first out lesbian to appear on the cover with her own solo feature. “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,” Lauren said.
Each woman has a different story, but together, they challenge outdated beauty standards and expand what it means to be a swimsuit model. Salma’s cover is more than a moment. It’s a message to women that you don’t have to be 22 to be seen. Her story resonates with women everywhere, especially those who feel invisible once they pass a certain age. “I used to think I had to hide parts of myself,” she said. “Now I know those are the parts that make me shine.”“It’s about time we stop acting like life ends at 40,” she said. The Salma Hayek Sports Illustrated cover reminds us that age doesn’t shrink beauty. Instead, it sharpens it.