What if the bikini wasn’t the point, but empowerment was?
In this episode of Girls Gone Gritty, Farley, Darian, and Jennifer dive into the evolution of the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, from the days of Heidi Klum and Kathy Ireland to today's covers featuring Olympians, influencers, and women in hijabs. The trio discusses how the magazine has shifted from idealized beauty to radical inclusion, celebrating age, size, race, and identity.
The ladies reflect on what the swimsuit issue meant growing up, how it helped shape cultural ideals, and why its transformation matters today. They also debate why there's still no male equivalent, what inclusion really means, and whether men can ever appreciate male beauty the way women admire other women. Plus, their “Got Grit Winner of the Week” proves that kindness, especially when no one is watching, is the true measure of greatness.
Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:00) Memorial Day memories and beach vibes
(2:06) Pop culture hot takes: Swifties, strikes, and Bieber
(4:33) Today’s topic: Sports Illustrated’s evolution
(5:47) From elite modeling to inclusivity
(7:41) SI through the decades: iconic covers and milestones
(10:45) Representation matters: trans, plus-size, age, hijab
(13:28) Why there’s no male version (yet)
(17:33) Got Grit Winner: NFL rookie Travis Hunter
(20:00) Song of the week: “Pictures of You” by The Cure
(21:12) Outro
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