Lizzo Makes Waves on the SI Swimsuit Cover

When you hear the words “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue,” the first image that pops into most people’s heads is a sun‑kissed supermodel in a tiny two‑piece. This year, that mental picture got a serious upgrade. The July 2026 digital cover features none other than Lizzo, the 38‑year‑old singer‑rapper‑flamenco‑queen, lounging in a sleek black bikini she helped design for her own size‑inclusive label, Yitty Swim.

“Every time I do Yitty Swim, I feel like it’s Sports Illustrated level,” Lizzo told Paper magazine’s Mickey Boardman during the cover interview. “When I believe what I dream, it comes true.” And sure enough, the dream is now a glossy reality: a black Yitty Swim bikini paired with a sheer black sarong, Ralph Lauren earrings, and her signature honey‑colored curls cascading over a palm‑tree backdrop.

Growing up, Lizzo admits she never imagined someone with her body type would ever make it onto that iconic cover. “When I was younger, I saw it and never imagined somebody with my body type would be on the cover,” she said, a hint of wonder still evident in her voice. It’s a sentiment that resonates with anyone who’s ever been told they don’t fit the “swimsuit body” mold.

The shoot itself was a two‑day affair that hopped between a Spanish‑style South Florida mansion and a yacht club charter on the bay. Besides the black Yitty piece, the Grammy winner tried on a chartreuse Sienna Swim two‑piece, a gold Yitty one‑piece with Chloé shell earrings, and a few cheeky shell‑trimmed bikinis from Oisri. One standout look was an electric‑blue one‑piece emblazoned with the word “Bitch,” a playful nod to her May album of the same name.

But Lizzo’s confidence isn’t just about fabric. Earlier that night she headlined the SI Swimsuit runway show at Miami Swim Week, strutting in the “Bitch” one‑piece while a sudden rainstorm turned the catwalk slick and sent a few models sprawling. Unfazed, she kept her poise—exactly the kind of resilience she’s become known for.

Not everyone is cheering, though. Lizzo predicts the cover will ruffle a few feathers, and she’s already pre‑emptively fired back at the inevitable criticism. “Seeing this cover of me all sexy and fat and fabulous in my Yitty Swim may trigger some people,” she said with a half‑smile. “But, you know… stay triggered.”

Her comment isn’t just a retort; it’s a reminder of the deliberate choices she’s made over the past year. In a recent Guardian interview, Lizzo revealed she intentionally let herself gain about 20 pounds, aiming to feel “juicier and thicker.” The backlash that followed only underscores how deeply entrenched the industry’s narrow standards still are.

Beyond the swimwear splash, Lizzo’s calendar is packed. She’s slated to star in a Sister Rosetta Tharpe biopic and is set to release her first children’s book, “Lil Lizzo Meets Sasha B. Flootin’,” later this fall. If the cover is any indication, she’ll keep challenging expectations—in music, fashion, and every arena she steps into.

So the next time you scroll past the SI Swimsuit issue, take a moment to soak it in. It’s not just a photo; it’s a celebration of confidence, a statement of inclusion, and, as Lizzo would put it, a reminder to stay unapologetically triggered.