Swimsuit

8 Electrifying Photos of SI Swimsuit Issue Cover Model Tyra Banks in the Bahamas

The supermodel returned to the magazine for a breathtaking feature in 2019.

Cara O’Bleness

Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks was photographed by Laretta Houston in Great Exuma, Bahamas.

Tyra Banks first appeared in the SI Swimsuit Issue in 1993 after posing for photographer Walter Iooss Jr. in Florida. The legendary supermodel and franchise veteran landed the cover three years later and made history as the first Black woman to appear on the cover. She appeared alongside model Valeria Mazza.

Banks went on to land her first solo cover in 1997 after traveling to Harbour Island, Bahamas, where she modeled for photographer Russell James. Banks has appeared in the magazine seven different times, and her most recent cover was in 2019, after she worked with Laretta Houston in Great Exuma, Bahamas.

“I’m really, really proud,” Banks told Entertainment Tonight of her ’19 SI Swimsuit cover. “It’s kind of surreal.”

She added that although her figure at the time was a bit different from her prior SI Swimsuit Issue cover in 1997, she felt comfortable celebrating her body in its current state.

In addition to her work with SI Swimsuit, Banks has modeled for Chanel, Christian Dior and Michael Kors, among countless others. The entrepreneur and TV personality created America’s Next Top Model and has served as a host on Dancing With the Stars.

“I feel like my mission in life is to open doors for other people and to get them to places that they probably couldn’t do on their own. I think we all need a little help,” Banks shared with ET. “My mama was my boost and I hope to be that for so many people.”

With that in mind, the model wished to elevate a lesser-known artist with her 2019 feature. After she requested to work with a Black female photographer for her photo shoot, she came across Laretta Houston on Instagram, and the rest is SI Swimsuit Issue cover history.

Below are eight of our favorite photos Houston captured of Banks on location in the Bahamas.

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Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.