A model from St. Cloud is now the
first to pose in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in a hijab and burkini.
“I never really felt represented because I never could flip through a magazine and see a girl who was wearing a hijab.” #ShatteringPerceptions pic.twitter.com/EtNfpszcmy
— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit)
April 29, 2019 Halima Aden, 20, was born in a refugee camp in Kenya and moved to the U.S. at 7 years old. She was homecoming queen in high school in St. Cloud and was a semifinalist at the Miss Minnesota USA pageant, an experience that gave her confidence.
"...'cause I was scared," she said. "Like 'oh my god,' what if I get boos or no clapping. It's scary because it's not my culture to do pageantry. It's very much American culture, but that's always been my messaging: don't be afraid to be the first."
The hashtag #ShatteringPerceptions is being used with her story.
Halima Aden makes history as the first model to wear a hijab and burkini for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: https://t.co/8WFD4hHmiH. pic.twitter.com/OsBthnjoLY
— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit)
April 29, 2019 “We bonded immediately over the idea of her participating in this year’s issue” SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day said in the publication. “We both believe the ideal of beauty is so vast and subjective. We both know that women are so often perceived to be one way or one thing based on how they look or what they wear. Whether you feel your most beautiful and confident in a burkini or a bikini, YOU ARE WORTHY.”
