NAKED MODELS PROMOTING ACCEPTANCE AND IDENTITY IN NEXT ISSUE
Several models in Sports Illustrated have created a new project called “In Her Own Words” that will inspire other women. It’s about identity and what each model sees themselves as. It’s raw and uncensored and promotes acceptance in beauty. It also declares, what is beautiful? Each model posed naked with affirmative words written on different parts of their bodies. How can you say no to that message?
AFFIRMATIVE WORDS ILLUSTRATE THE INNER LANDSCAPE OF EACH MODEL
The editor of Sports Illustrated, MJ Day, described their project as a connection between feminism and the swim suit issue. It’s inspiring. Words written on the model’s bodies include: nurture, strong, truth, feminism, perfect, optimist, mother, etc. This project tackles ageism, sexism, body strong versus body shaming, acceptance, love and the list goes on and on. Day explains, “You have Harvard graduates, you have billion-dollar moguls, you have philanthropists, you have teachers, you have mothers – you have a full range of women represented in the alumnus of this magazine, and not one of them failed because they wore a bikini.” Can you say empowerment? But somehow, women choosing to be naked is always controversial.
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SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT MODELS OLD AND NEW
Several returning Sports Illustrated models will be showing up for this uncensored photoshoot, including Paulina Porizkova and Robin Lawley. But that also includes newcomers like Sailor Brinkley Cook, Christie Brinkley’s daughter. Porizkova explained that these affirmative words help portray not only a nude photoshoot, but more of how do you want us to see you. It’s a personal portrayal, “it’s even more naked that naked”. That is power. But Lawley also wants the beauty of women to be revealed. She says, “We become so obsessed with our exterior message, we give no thoughts to what’s in our heads.” She speaks of cellulite, stretch marks and everything that tends to be stigmatized when it comes to women’s bodies. It’s about body beautiful and soul complete. It’s about empowerment. But it’s also about connecting others to their own sense of power.
PUBLIC HAS MIXED REVIEWS OF UNCENSORED PICS
The public has had mixed reviews about this affirmative and uncensored photo shoot. Some feel that it objectifies women and misses the mark. The majority of body activists and models within the industry support the idea. But why do naked women scare people? Is it that they are naked? No one seems to mind if it’s to sell a product. What if the product is simply empowerment? Now that’s threatening. It’s practically a tradition. It’s called women owning themselves. But it’s also called women inspiring other women to own themselves, too. Run! Run for cover! Just don’t cover up… the power.
But seriously. The world needs more power like this. It also needs more women like these to show their naked power.
