Lizzo is featured on the July 2026 digital cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, modeling a black bikini from her own size-inclusive brand, Yitty Swim. This cover marks a personal milestone for the singer, who stated she never imagined someone with her body type would be featured when she was younger.
"When I was younger, I saw it and never imagined somebody with my body type would be on the cover," Lizzo told Paper magazine. "It’s just incredible to see how we’ve redefined sexy, redefined confidence and redefined what a swimsuit body is since I was a kid."
The cover shoot, which took place in South Florida, featured Lizzo in various swimwear, including a black Yitty bikini paired with a sheer sarong and Ralph Lauren earrings, as well as a chartreuse Sienna Swim bikini. The shoot also included a gold Yitty one-piece and string bikinis by Oisri.
Lizzo also addressed recent commentary about her body, revealing she intentionally gained approximately 20 pounds over the past year. "I wanted to get thicker. I wanted to get juicier and thicker, and I did," she explained, pushing back against assumptions about her weight. "Little do they know it was intentional."
Responding to potential criticism of her cover appearance, Lizzo stated, "Seeing this cover of me all sexy and fat and fabulous in my Yitty Swim may trigger some people. But, you know … Stay triggered."
The day before the cover shoot, Lizzo headlined the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway show in Miami Swim Week, wearing an electric blue Yitty one-piece that read "Bitch," referencing her May album release. She later attended the Swim Week closing party with friends.
Looking ahead, Lizzo is set to star in a Sister Rosetta Tharpe biopic and release her first children's book, "Lil Lizzo Meets Sasha B. Flootin'," this fall.