Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2024 reveals its FOUR cover models: Gayle King makes her debut in magazine at 69 with a sizzling swimsuit shoot - joining stunning veterans Kate Upton, Hunter McGrady and Chrissy Teigen

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2024 has revealed its four cover models - including Gayle King, who showed off her stunning swimsuit body as she made her debut on the front the magazine at age 69. 

Joining her for this years cover stars are veterans Kate Upton, Hunter McGrady, and Chrissy Teigen.

Photographed in Mexico by Yu Tsai, acclaimed TV host Gayle flaunted her figure in a one-piece striped EVARAE swimsuit and a matching cover-up.

She stood next to a brick wall and smiled from ear to ear as her shawl fell off her shoulder.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2024 has revealed its four cover models - including Gayle King, 69, who showed off her stunning swimsuit body as she made her debut on the front the magazine

Joining her for this years cover stars are veterans Kate Upton (left), who donned a red and pink Normaillot bikini, and Chrissy Teigen (right), who opted for a Saint Laurent bathing suit

Hunter McGrady also graced the cover in a brown JMP The Label one-piece, which came complete with cut-outs on the sides of her midriff area.

Gayle chatted about the shoot with Drew Barrymore on this morning's episode of CBS This Morning, and she admitted to the star that she 'couldn't believe' she had been asked to participate.

'I'm floating, I can't believe it,' she gushed. 'It’s just… I’m so honored to be included in this class.'

When asked if she 'ever thought she'd be on the cover of SI Swimsuit,' Gayle admitted, 'Never. I never thought I had a shot in anything like this.

'My grandmother said to me [when I was little], "Mother nature was not as kind to you as she was to other little girls. Maybe you need to start wearing makeup." I just never saw myself this way.'

She added, 'I know what I look like before I go into hair and makeup, so it’s hard for me to go from that to [the cover]. That’s something I have to process myself.'

Gayle praised the magazine for featuring women of different 'races and ages,' as well as with various 'body types.' 

She also revealed that she told the magazine editors she 'didn't want retouching' on her photos, except for a few 'dimples on her thighs.' 

In addition, she vowed that she 'didn't starve herself' or do 'anything she doesn't normally do' to prepare for the shoot.

Three other covers featured 23 'more legends' - all of whom posed in stunning gowns rather than swimsuits

SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ Day explained on CBS Mornings, 'We're not short on swimsuits but I like the idea of having all these women come together in a way that was different for us'

Gayle chatted about the shoot with Drew Barrymore on this morning's episode of CBS This Morning, and she admitted to the star that she 'couldn't believe' she participated

When asked if she 'ever thought she'd be on the cover of SI Swimsuit,' Gayle admitted, 'Never. I never thought I had a shot in anything like this'

Gayle praised the magazine for featuring women of different 'races and ages,' as well as with various 'body types'

She also revealed that she told the magazine editors she 'didn't want retouching' on her photos, except for a few 'dimples on her thighs'

In addition, she vowed that she 'didn't starve herself' or do 'anything she doesn't normally do' to prepare for the shoot

Chrissy, 38, opted for a orange Saint Laurent bathing suit for her cover, posing in front of a pool and starring seductively at the camera; the extremely low-cut one-piece left ample cleave on full display. 

As for Hunter, 31, she donned a brown JMP The Label swimsuit, which came complete with cut-outs on the sides of her midriff area. 

She paired it with a long, flowing ANTONINIAS shawl and lifted her arms up in the air, causing pieces of fabric to flow in the wind around her.

'As a plus size woman I'm all about representation, but my biggest message is: we're so much more than our bodies,' she said on CBS This Morning while reflecting on the shoot.

'Yes, this is me and my body on the cover of Sports Illustrated, but I'm so much more than that. 

'It's exciting to finally be put on this huge platform in that way. Sexy isn't an age, sexy isn't a size.'

Kate, 31, looked flawless in a red and pink Normaillot bikini as she stood with her arms above her head.

'It's all about being confident in your body no matter what you look like. Your voice matters. You can empower yourself by being confident,' she added during an appearance on the show this morning.

Three other covers featured 23 'more legends,' including Brenna Huckaby, Brooklyn Decker, Brooks Nader, Camille Kostek, Christie Brinkley, Danielle Herrington, Hailey Clauson, Halima Aden, Jasmine Sanders, Kate Love, Leyna Bloom, Lily Aldridge, Martha Stewart, Maye Musk, Megan Rapinoe, Molly Sims, Nina Agdal, Paige Spiranac, Paulina Porizkova, Roshumba Williams, Sue Bird, Tyra Banks, and Winnie Harlow - all of whom posed in stunning gowns rather than swimsuits.

'As a plus size woman I'm all about representation, but my biggest message is, we're so much more than our bodies,' Hunter (left) said on CBS This Morning while reflecting on the shoot

'It's all about being confident in your body no matter what you look like. Your voice matters. You can empower yourself by being confident,' Kate (seen with Hunter on the show) added

SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ explained, 'I want the world to realize that Sports illustrated has evolved into such a far more wide-reaching powerful vehicle of change'

SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ Day explained on CBS Mornings, 'Listen, there's a lot of swimsuit photos in this issue. 

'We're not short on swimsuits but I like the idea of having all these women come together in a way that was different for us.

'I want the world to realize that Sports illustrated has evolved into such a far more wide-reaching powerful vehicle of change.' 

MJ added in a statement that she wanted to go all out for this year's covers since it's the magazine's 60th anniversary.

'A 60th anniversary is a big deal. It might not be recognized as lavishly as the number that 50 is, but we felt we should wholeheartedly celebrate 60, too, for a simple reason: because the journey we’ve been on for the past 10 years is something we humbly consider to be revolutionary,' she explained.

'We have shattered stereotypes. We have embraced diversity. We have championed inclusivity. 

'With each passing year, we have challenged ourselves to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.'