Swimsuit

8 Incredible Photos of Ronda Rousey in Bodypaint in Petit St. Vincent

The SI Swimsuit cover model posed for the publication two years in a row.

Cara O’Bleness

Ronda Rousey was photographed by Frederic Pinet in Petit St. Vincent.

Ronda Rousey was photographed by Frederic Pinet in Petit St. Vincent.

Ronda Rousey is known for her professional wrestling career, but the WWE star is also an actress and an SI Swimsuit Issue cover model. While the 36-year-old first posed for the publication in 2015, when she worked with Walter Iooss Jr. in Captiva, Fla., Rousey landed the cover the following year. She participated in a stunning bodypaint feature in Petit St. Vincent, and appeared on the front of the magazine in a colorful painted-on swimsuit by makeup artist Joanne Gair. The gorgeous beachside image was captured by Frederic Pinet.

“I’m very lucky to be working with a master of her trade, and I think the art that they have is definitely worth all their time and effort,” Rousey said while on location with Gair. “The most impressive thing under this robe is actually just the artwork.”

The experience was a unique one for both the Olympic medalist and the renowned makeup artist, as Gair had never painted an animal on a model before.

“I would have to say the white tiger that we did on Ronda Rousey,” Gair previously told SI Swimsuit while reflecting on her favorite bodypaint projects with the brand. “I had never painted a tiger before—I had never painted an animal before—and it was so appropriate for this personality. The cover one was a great success, it was lovely to do as well, but the tiger one was very Ronda. She wore it so well, she loved it. It was called ‘The Fighter.’”

Below are eight of our favorite photos of the mixed martial artist in bodypaint from her feature in 2016.

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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.