Sports Illustrated named its coveted cover models for its swimsuit edition on Wednesday. The lucky models gracing its cover in 2019 are Camille Kostek, 27, Tyra Banks, 45, and soccer star Alex Morgan, 29. "@tyrabanks, @camillekostek and @alexmorgan13have landed the cover of #SISwim2019! 'The three women that make up the covers of the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue represent the brand in the most powerful way possible,' @mj_daysaid. 'While each individual woman is so unique, they come together cohesively to tell a spectacular story,'" the magazine announced on Instagram. OLIVIA CULPO ADMITS SHE WAS 'REALLY NERVOUS' LEADING UP TO 2019 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT PHOTO SHOOT This isn't the first time the former "America's Next Top Model" host has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. Banks first appeared on its cover in 1996 and returned again in 1997. Last year, she surprised model Danielle Herrington with the news that she made the magazine's cover in 2018. "Tyra Banks is the epitome of what we hope for all the women who are a part of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit," editor MJ Day said on the magazine's website. "What she has achieved so far in her career is extraordinary. She has parlayed a modeling career into [a] phenomenal success that spans multiple industries and resonates with people on a global scale. She has refused to be singularly defined and is constantly working to inspire everyone within her reach." ROB GRONKOWSKI’S GIRLFRIEND CAMILLE KOSTEK STUNS FOLLOWERS WITH TOPLESS POST Back in March, Kostek, who is dating retired football player Rob Gronkowski, told Fox News she’s always envisioned herself as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model and believed the magazine offers an empowering message for women. “If I didn’t think I could be here, I wouldn’t do it,” said Kostek. “It’s been such a refreshing, exciting time for me to model and be represented by a company that embraces women of every shape and size. It’s been so nice to not have that pressure to change just to be on a runway show or photo shoot. That’s exactly what I stand for as a woman and a sister. PAULINA PORIZKOVA, 54, ‘GULPED’ WHEN ASKED TO POSE FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED WITHOUT 'ANY RETOUCHING' "I just want to send the best message possible to women. And I’m just so thankful because I honestly never thought I could model. I’ve always been told I wasn’t tall enough, I wasn’t thin enough. It’s motivating when someone tells you it’s possible to do something that seems impossible.” The magazine also shared on its Twitter account a video of its third cover model, Alex Morgan, being surprised with the news that she made the final cut. "Just to be part of SI Swimsuit, I feel like empowered because I feel like I'm alongside so many incredible women," Morgan shares before finding out she's on the cover. "This is the first shot of the day, so I was still getting the nerves out of me," she said when shown the picture that ultimately made the cover. "This picture just shows me how strong I am and how hard I've worked not necessarily to show off my body in any way, but I work every single day to compete on the highest stage in my sport and this just shows all the training and discipline and commitment and sacrifice." US WOMEN'S SOCCER STAR ALEX MORGAN TALKS FIGHT FOR PAY PARITY AHEAD OF WOMEN'S WORLD CUP She concluded: "I'm so excited to represent all of women's soccer on the cover of Sports Illustrated."<doc-sep>Since 1964, Sports Illustrated has released its annual Swimsuit Issue ahead of the summer. Wednesday, the publication announced who will be on the cover for this year’s edition. Sports Illustrated picked three women to grace the cover – veteran supermodel Tyra Banks, who was first on the cover back in 1996, USA soccer star Alex Morgan and up-and-coming model Camille Kostek, who dates former New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski. Kostek is the least-known of the three, but she’s been a rising star in modeling for a few years now. Landing the SI cover won’t do much to change that. Sports Illustrated explained its rationale for the three selections when it released the covers this morning: “The three women that make up the covers of the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue represent the brand in the most powerful way possible. While each individual woman is so unique, they come together cohesively to tell a spectacular story,” said SI Swimsuit Editor, MJ Day. “Since Tyra’s first cover in 1996, she’s transformed herself into nothing less than a mogul, a cultural force and a supernova of inspiration and empowerment. She’s kind of the Swimsuit Issue ethos come to life, everything we know this franchise can be.” “Alex Morgan stands for feminine strength and power—using her voice to fight for gender discrimination and equal pay,” MJ continued. “And Camille Kostek, two years after we discovered her in our annual Model Search casting, marks the launch of a career swimming in potential. These women emulate determination to own who they are and demonstrate how limitless they can be.” The publication also released a video of Kostek learning that she’d be on one of the covers. To say she was excited would be an understatement. A Star Is Born. Here's the moment Camille Kostek found out she was on the cover of #SISwim 2019. 🤗 pic.twitter.com/medd8lJArK — Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) May 8, 2019 Here’s a look at the three covers: Congrats to all three women.<doc-sep>The 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has been unveiled with three covers: O.G. supermodel Tyra Banks, breakout star Camille Kostek and Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan. Banks, a TV personality and entrepreneur who was the first black woman to adorn the annual bikini bible's cover in 1997, looks as stunning as ever at age 45 in her comeback cover appearance. ADVERTISEMENT Thanks for watching! Visit Website "There is this stereotype that only a 20-year-old woman in a bikini is hot," Banks told Sports Illustrated. "Like once we reach a certain age, we are no longer desirable. But I want to show that modeling has no age. I’m coming out of retirement to practice what I preach." ADVERTISEMENT Thanks for watching! Visit Website ADVERTISEMENT Thanks for watching! Visit Website Banks dons a yellow string bikini on a Great Exuma, Bahamas beach for her cover, which was photographed by Laretta Banks. "I am telling people that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and ages" she added. “I have to put my money where my mouth is. I have to make sure my message is pure.” Kostek, who shined as a red carpet host at last year's Maxim Hot 100 Experience, also got a solo cover after landing a spot in the 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as part of the rookie class. The former NFL cheerleader and current girlfriend of retired Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski caught her first big break with the mag after participating in SI's open model casting in 2017 by submitting an Instagram video. Morgan, an Olympic gold medalist and multi-time U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, adorns the third solo cover. Watch her react to its unveiling below: MJ Day, editor of the issue, spoke highly of Morgan's activism in a press release. "Alex Morgan stands for feminine strength and power, using her voice to fight for gender discrimination and equal pay," Day said. "These women emulate determination to own who they are and demonstrate how limitless they can be," she said of the three cover models.<doc-sep>
Sports Illustrated announced Tuesday who will grace the cover of its Swimsuit Edition. It’s Camille Kostek, the girlfriend of former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Per SI: “A short year ago, Camille Kostek was a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model search hopeful, vying for a coveted rookie spot in the 2019 issue,” said SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day. “Today, an image from the first shoot of her career graces the cover. Homegrown in every sense of the word, it’s been incredible to watch Camille come into her own in this space and use her influence to address some of the trappings that come with being a public personality. In a short amount of time, she has leveraged the power of her brand to inspire and educate others while at the same time persuing her own dreams. She is a star on the rise.” Actually, Sports Illustrated will feature three different covers. Kostak is the official cover model. She’s joined by U.S. Women’s National Team soccer player Alex Morgan and model Tyra Banks, who will be on the other covers. It’s the second time the magazine will have three separate swimsuit covers. Per SI: “The three women that make up the covers of the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue represent the brand in the most powerful way possible. While each individual woman is so unique, they come together cohesively to tell a spectacular story,” said SI Swimsuit Editor, MJ Day. “Since Tyra’s first cover in 1996, she’s transformed herself into nothing less than a mogul, a cultural force and a supernova of inspiration and empowerment. She’s kind of the Swimsuit Issue ethos come to life, everything we know this franchise can be.” Banks is the “swimsuit legend.” The 45-year-old Banks made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut in 1993 and landed her first cover in 1996. Per SI: “Tyra Banks is the epitome of what we hope for all the women who are a part of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit,” said editor MJ Day. “What she has achieved so far in her career is extraordinary. She has parlayed a modeling career into phenomenal success that spans multiple industries and resonates with people on a global scale. She has refused to be singularly defined and is constantly working to inspire everyone within her reach.” Morgan made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut in 2012. She’s one of four USWNT players in the 2019 issue. According to SI, Morgan “hand selected” her co-captain Megan Rapione, Crystal Dunn, and Abby Dahlkemper to join her in the magazine. "Although she is a team player in every sense of the word, Alex Morgan is so much more than just an elite athlete,” said SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day. “From winning a World Cup, to fighting for fair and equal compensation for women, along with the rest of the US Women’s soccer team, she represents all that is confident, strong and beautiful.” Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.