Your Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2018 Cover Model is Danielle Herrington!
The wait is FINALLY over...
And Danielle Herrington is living a dream on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2018. We invited the two-time SI Swimsuit model to our office under the guise of a virtual reality shoot. Little did she know her life was about to change forever. As she "accidentally" walked into a studio, she found herself on set with an SI Swimsuit legend — the one and only Tyra Banks. As the two embraced, meeting for the first time, the room waited with bated breath for the reveal of a lifetime. Watch the video above to see the unforgettable moment!

The beautiful brunette was shot by photographer Ben Watts in Harbour Island, Bahamas, where she stunned on the pink sand beaches of the Caribbean island.
Danielle started her career just last year and stole the hearts of so many SI Swimsuit fans. The Compton, Calif. native mesmerized as she posed for her first professional shoot (EVER) in beautiful Fiji. "I remember being told I was going to live in New York," Danielle said last year after seeing her first photos in the magazine. "Six months later, I'm a Swimsuit model."

Massimo Campana

Massimo Campana
"Last year, Danielle was a rookie, and yet already an exemplary model," said SI Swimsuit Editor MJ Day. "She's an extra hard worker and a natural brand ambassador. All those things separately don't guarantee a cover, though. Danielle was a shy girl, who went from taking her first photos last year to showing up this year a completely different person. All the good things about her seemed to be magnified.
"She owned every single second of her shoot. She had an enthusiasm and effervescence about her — I felt like I was meeting her for the first time. Last year she showed up never expecting to be there; this year she showed up completely claiming her place and status as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model."

Ben Watts
This year's issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit was shot in the Caribbean, where 20...make that now 21 covers have been shot over the magazine's 54-year history. Danielle becomes just the third African-American to appear on the cover, joining Tyra Banks (1997) and Beyonce (2005). Other famous cover models such as Kate Upton, Heidi Klum,Kathy Ireland and Christie Brinkley have gone on to have illustrious careers in movies, TV, business and beyond.
"I can't even believe I'm saying this. I am the 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model," said Danielle. "I can't wait for everyone to see it. I'm emotional, but I just want to say thank you to everyone who believed in me. I put in so much work for this and I'm feeling very accomplished, happy and excited."
See every cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue:
Leyna Bloom | Megan Thee Stallion | Naomi Osaka

2021
Jasmine Sanders | Olivia Culpo | Kate Bock

2020
Alex Morgan | Tyra Banks | Camille Kostek

2019
Danielle Herrington

Ben Watts
2018
Kate Upton

Yu Tsai
2017
Hailey Clauson | Ashley Graham | Ronda Rousey

James Macari and Frederic Pinet for Sports Illustrated
2016
Hannah Davis

Ben Watts for Sports Illustrated
2015
Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen

James Macari for Sports Illustrated
2014
Kate Upton

Derek Kettela for Sports Illustrated
2013
Kate Upton

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
2012
Irina Shayk

Bjorn Iooss for Sports Illustrated
2011
Brooklyn Decker

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
2010
Bar Refaeli

Raphael Mazzucco for Sports Illustrated
2009
Marisa Miller 2008

Raphael Mazzucco for Sports Illustrated
Raphael Mazzucco
Beyoncé

Cliff Watts for Sports Illustrated
2007
Veronica Varekova, Elle Macpherson, Rebecca Romijn, Rachel Hunter, Daniela Pestova, Elsa Benítez, Carolyn Murphy, and Yamila Diaz-Rahi

Raphael Mazzucco for Sports Illustrated
2006
Carolyn Murphy

Jeff Olson for Sports Illustrated
2005
Veronica Varekova

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
2004
Petra Nemcova

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
2003
Yamilla Diaz-Rahi

Jeff Bark for Sports Illustrated
2002
Elsa Benítez

Stewart Shining for Sports Illustrated
2001
Daniela Pestova

Robert Erdmann for Sports Illustrated
2000
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos

Antoine Verglas for Sports Illustrated
1999
Heidi Klum

Robert Erdmann for Sports Illustrated
1998
Tyra Banks

Russell James for Sports Illustrated
1997
Valeria Mazza and Tyra Banks

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
1996
Daniela Pestova

Mike Reinhardt for Sports Illustrated
1995
Kathy Ireland, Elle Macpherson and Rachel Hunter

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
1994
Vendela Kirsebom

Paolo Curto for Sports Illustrated
1993
Kathy Ireland

Robert Huntzinger for Sports Illustrated
1992
Ashley Montana

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
1991
Judit Mascó

Robert Huntzinger for Sports Illustrated
1990
Kathy Ireland

Paolo Curto for Sports Illustrated
1989
Elle Macpherson

Marc Hispard for Sports Illustrated
1988
Elle Macpherson

John G. Zimmerman for Sports Illustrated
1987
Elle Macpherson

Brian Lanker for Sports Illustrated
1986
Paulina Porizkova

Brian Lanker for Sports Illustrated
1985
Paulina Porizkova

Paolo Curto for Sports Illustrated
1984
Cheryl Tiegs

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
1983
Carol Alt

John G. Zimmerman for Sports Illustrated
1982
Christie Brinkley

John G. Zimmerman for Sports Illustrated
1981
Christie Brinkley

John Zimmerman for Sports Illustrated
1980
Christie Brinkley

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
1979
Maria João

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
1978
Lena Kansbod

Art Kane for Sports Illustrated
1977
Yvette and Yvonne Sylvander

Kourken Pakchanian
1976
Cheryl Tiegs

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
1975
Ann Simonton

Jay Maisel for Sports Illustrated
1974
Dayle Haddon

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated
1973
Sheila Roscoe

John G. Zimmerman for Sports Illustrated
1972
Tannia Rubiano

Robert Huntzinger for Sports Illustrated
1971
Cheryl Tiegs

Jay Maisel for Sports Illustrated
1970
Jamee Becker

Ernst Haas for Sports Illustrated
1969
Turia Mau

John G. Zimmerman for Sports Illustrated
1968
Marilyn Tindall

Jay Maisel for Sports Illustrated
1967
Sunny Bippus

Howell Conant for Sports Illustrated
1966
Sue Peterson

Jay Maisel for Sports Illustrated
1965
Babette March

J. Frederick Smith for Sports Illustrated
1964