PHOTOSHalima Aden Becomes First Model To Wear Hijab & Burkini For 'Sports Illustrated Swimsuit' Issue
Apr. 29 2019, Published 2:50 p.m. ET
Halima Aden is making history! The Somali-American model has become the first person to wear a hijab and a burkini in 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
Before moving to the United States at the age of seven, Halima, 21, lived in a refugee camp in Kenya.
She returned to her birth country for the photoshoot and spoke candidly about her experience. “I keep thinking back to six-year-old me who, in this same country, was in a refugee camp,” she said. “So to grow up to live the American dream and to come back to Kenya and shoot for SI in the most beautiful parts of Kenya–I don’t think that’s a story that anybody could make up.”
Sports Illustrated editor MJ Day also opened up about the importance of Halima's appearance. “Having Halima as a part of SI Swimsuit is yet another example of the range and scope of the type of beauty that exists,” she said.
MJ continued, “Her participation and inclusion further highlights the brands commitment and belief in supporting women to own who they are and what makes them unique and ultimately reaffirms what our messaging has been — that you are worthy.”
Halima is no stranger to breaking barriers. In addition to her Sports Illustrated achievement, she is also the first hijabi to participate in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. She was a semi-finalist in the competition and the buzz from the pageant scored her a contract with IMG Models and a slot in Kanye West’s Season 5 Fashion week runway show in Fall 2017.
What do you think about Halima being featured in Sports Illustrated? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
