Morgan flew to her shoot a day after the USWNT revealed its lawsuit against the USSFSI
USWNT F Alex Morgan is "one of three cover models" for SI's '19 swimsuit issue, joining Tyra Banks and model Camille Kostek, who also "have their own covers for this year’s issue," according to Xandria James of SI.com. Morgan "made her debut in the magazine" in '12, and "returned two years later." She is "one of four USWNT players to be featured" in the '19 issue, joining MF Megan Rapinoe, F Crystal Dunn and D Abby Dahlkemper (SI.com, 5/8). PEOPLE's Brittany Talarico notes Morgan for the cover was "photographed in St. Lucia by Ben Watts wearing a blue bikini by swimwear brand Fae." SI Swimsuit Editor MJ Day said, "Morgan stands for feminine strength and power, using her voice to fight for gender discrimination and equal pay" (PEOPLE.com, 5/8). ABC’s Lara Spencer said this year’s swimsuit issue is “pushing boundaries like never before.” Day said, “This year’s issue has one of the biggest and broadest samplings of beauty that we’ve ever featured” (“GMA,” ABC, 5/8).
TURNING A NEW PAGE: WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY's Kali Hays notes Morgan “flew from Paris for her SI shoot the day after” the USWNT “revealed its gender discrimination lawsuit” against the USSF. Day said Morgan can make the swimsuit issue a “place to show off not only changes in female sport, but also ideals of female beauty.” She said, “I’ve worked with athletes for so long, and in the past, they’d often be like, ‘Oh, make sure my arm doesn’t look too big,’ or ‘I don’t want to look too ripped or too masculine.’ ... What I noticed this year, which is so incredible, (Morgan and two teammates she posed with inside) were like, ‘I want you to see my abs!’ ‘Look at my leg definition!’ They were so proud of themselves. It was a very rewarding moment” (WWD.com, 5/8).
