Salma Hayek And Livvy Dunne Land Sports Illustrated Covers—The Hot Girl Era Is Back

Pairing a 58-year-old Hollywood legend with a 22-year-old NCAA gymnast-turned-superstar is kind of genius. Not in a fake diversity panel way, but in a this is who everyone actually wants to see way. SI really cast a wide net this time: Salma is a Gen X gem; Livvy’s a certified obsession for Gen Z boys.

For Hayek, this is a dream come true. “I remember when I was young, a long, long time ago, I was always excited to see the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated, and [thinking] ‘Who’s going to be in it?’ Of course, I didn’t look like a model, so it never crossed my mind that one day I would be in it,” she said.

“If somebody had told me I was gonna be in it at 58, I would have sent them to the madhouse, but the world has changed, and that’s exciting,” she added.

“I could retire, but I don’t want to miss out on this time. I fought for it, you know, and I’ve been part of it... I don’t see why, after a certain age, we have to retract ourselves from embracing life to the fullest.”

Livvy Dunne: America’s Sweetheart 

Then there’s Olivia “Livvy” Dunne, the blonde bombshell who catapulted from college gymnastics to million-dollar NIL deals to gracing the most iconic swimsuit cover in the country. It's her first SI cover, but she’s been in the issue twice before.  

“This bikini … this was the one. I felt like such a baddie in it. This is the best day of my life. This is so exciting,” she said after learning her photo made the cover.

Dunne shot her cover in Bermuda wearing tiger stripes and leopard print, clearly a nod to her LSU roots.

“I feel like I’m just stepping into a new version of myself. This is the most special thing that’s ever happened to me,” she said. “I am proud to be an SI [Swimsuit] model … I just hope that other athletes feel inspired and hear my story, and fight for what’s right.”

She’s not trying to ditch her athletic side, either. “When people look at my Sports Illustrated photos, I want them to take away that you can have the best of both worlds — and you can be a strong independent woman while doing it all.”

This year SI really remembered the assignment. Editor MJ Day explained, “It’s about creating a platform to capture moments that define our times, celebrating people who are shaping culture, and showcasing beauty on a world stage.” She called Hayek “a force of nature” and said Dunne “changed the game for athletes everywhere.”

So, is the hot girl era truly back? Let’s just say this: if you’re flipping through a magazine in 2025 and it’s Salma Hayek in a plunging green one-piece and Livvy Dunne in zebra print with a backward cap, the answer is yes.

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