Ilona Maher wanted to be a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model for years. Now it's happening
Ilona Maher is breaking the internet again. This time, the Vermont native announced she is the cover girl of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's digital September issue.
Maher's fame skyrocketed after leading the United States women's rugby sevens team to a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics - the country's first ever medal in women's rugby.
However, Maher is not only known for her talent on the rugby field, but also for her presence on social media, where she posts hilarious, relatable and inspiring content. She uses her platform to encourage women, especially women in sports, to feel confident in their bodies. Under her curated hashtag #beastbeautybrains, Maher promotes that women can be strong, beautiful, funny and smart at the same time.
Now, Maher's message of body positivity is being promoted by Sports Illustrated.
"Ilona’s presence on our cover symbolizes a shift in the narrative - one that celebrates not only physical prowess but also the courage to lead, inspire and advocate for change," said Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day in the September cover girl announcement. "We couldn’t feel more excited and inspired by this revolutionary athlete and feminist trailblazer!”
Here's how Maher and the rest of the internet reacted to her cover girl shoot.
Ilona Maher's reaction to her SI Swimsuit cover
Maher has been campaigning to be a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model for years. Back in 2022, she posted a video on TikTok where she said being in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue was a lifelong goal.
"I'm committed to inspiring others to appreciate their body and to find their own beauty no matter what society says. I think I would be a great model for your issue," Maher said to Sports Illustrated in the video.
Two years later, Maher's lifelong goal has come true. After officially sharing the news on Instagram, the star reacted in typical Ilona Maher fashion - posting multiple funny videos to TikTok and Instagram reels.
In one reel, Maher joked about posting the shots from her SI swim photoshoot non-stop, lip-syncing to a sound that says "prepare to be sick of me."
More seriously, she called it a "picture perfect day."
Celebrity reactions to Ilona Maher's SI Swimsuit cover
The drop of Maher's cover sent the internet into a frenzy. Maher's Olympic rugby teammates flooded her with support on Instagram, as well as other athletes like gymnast Katelyn Ohashi, track and field Olympian Chari Hawkins and Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn, who has photographed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit three times.
More: Watch Ilona Maher's appearance on NBC's 'Late Night with Seth Meyers'
Massachusetts native Aly Raisman, who competed in women's artistic gymnastics at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, congratulated her fellow New England Olympian, writing "Congrats!!!! Stunning" in Maher's comments.
Maher also received support from models like Olivia Ponton and Alix Earle, who was the June 2024 SI Swimsuit cover model, as well as other famous body positivity advocates such as Kylie Kelce and Amber Riley.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Vermont's Ilona Maher stars in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover
