5 Incredibly Fun Photos of Cover Model Kim Petras in Los Angeles

The history-making German pop star landed on the front of the 2023 issue.

Ananya Panchal | Sep 28, 2023

Kim Petras was photographed by Yu Tsai in Los Angeles.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

German pop star Kim Petras, who moved to Los Angeles when she was 19, made history in February when she became the first transgender woman to win a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. She earned the honor for her hit single “Holy” with singer Sam Smith.

“I don’t think anything could have prepared me and I don’t think I’ll ever really have that feeling again. It was completely incredible,” she shared. “I’m so grateful to Sam for wanting me to give a speech and kind of pushing me to do it because I was so scared. [Smith] was like, ‘If we win, I want you to do it because it’s kind of a historical moment.’”

The 31-year-old made her SI Swimsuit debut just a few months later, after being photographed by Yu Tsai in the City of Angels.

Hard work and determination are second nature for Petras, who studio and couch hopped when she first arrived in the country, because she didn’t have a place to stay, nor any industry connections.

“It wasn’t easy. It was a lot of not much sleep and working a lot, writing a lot of songs. I worked on my talents and my craft and got better as a songwriter for years before anything happened,” she said. “It’s so crazy looking back. I think I definitely didn’t think that that was possible for me. Other people definitely didn’t think it would happen.”

Below are six gorgeous photos from Petras’s 2023 SI Swimsuit photoshoot.

Kim Petras was photographed by Yu Tsai in Los Angeles. Swimsuit by BANANHOT. Earrings and bracelets by Alexis Bittar.

Kim Petras was photographed by Yu Tsai in Los Angeles. Swimsuit by Natalia Fedner. Earrings by Alexis Bittar. Necklace by Logan Hollowell.

Kim Petras was photographed by Yu Tsai in Los Angeles. Swimsuit by LILY&ROSE. Earring by Jennifer Meyer.

Kim Petras was photographed by Yu Tsai in Los Angeles. Top by PatBO. Swimsuit bottom by Frankies Bikinis x Sydney Sweeney. Earrings by Alexis Bittar. Ring by Sophie Buhai.

Kim Petras was photographed by Yu Tsai in Los Angeles. Swimsuit by Heavy Manners. Earrings by Alexis Bittar.

Now through Nov. 1, 100% of SI Swimsuit’s portion of proceeds from cover prints purchased here will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund, which is helping to support the people and places of Maui affected by the recent wildfires.

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Published Sep 28, 2023

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.