This May Be Hunter McGrady's Third Year With SI Swimsuit, But It's Her First Wearing an Actual Swimsuit!

Hunter McGrady is back for another year with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and she's most excited to actually wear a swimsuit this year! 

Confused? Let us explain. You first met a body-painted Hunter on the pages of our magazine as a part of the 2017 SI Swimsuit Model Search. Fellow SI Swimsuit babe Anne de Paula eventually won the fan vote, but we couldn't resist bringing Hunter back for her rookie season anyway! During her rookie shoot last year, Hunter dazzled as a part of our special project "In Her Own Words," an emotional story where models painted important words on their bodies as a display of female empowerment and body positvity. 

POWERFUL. RESILIENT. WORTHY. These words couldn't be more accuate to describe a woman who has taken a journey to self love and come out the other end as an incredible role model for women around the world. 

"It is vital that we understand that we can choose our own thinking," Hunter penned in her first "Hello, Hunter" column. "Choose the thought, choose the attitude, choose the choice, choose the consequences of that choice. Those of us that are body-positivity advocates are not asking for a superficial change, but rather a monumental shift in the way we think about ourselves, others and how we engage one another."

Hello, Hunter: Dating in the Digital Age

Enter Hunter in her third year, and we're finally giving this babe a real swimsuit to wear! 

"I'm so excited because this will be my third year in SI Swimsuit...but my first year wearing a swimsuit!" Hunter laughed at the irony of her situation.

We can't wait to watch Hunter rock some barely-there bikinis and super-sexy one-pieces! So be sure to follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to see all the BTS action from her SI Swimsuit shoot in Costa Rica with the uber-talented photogtapher James Macari.

See all of Hunter's powerful photos from last year's issue:

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady and Kate Wasley were photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Robyn Lawley and Hunter McGrady were photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady and Kate Wasley were photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.

Hunter McGrady was photographed by Taylor Ballantyne in New York City.