Lauren Chan.Photo: James Macari/ SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Lauren Chanisn’t afraid to make waves.
The model is one of this year’sSports Illustrated SwimsuitRookies, making her the first plus-size queer Rookie in the brand’s history. Her official swimsuit shots were unveiled Wednesday.
“I’m so excited for a chapter withSI Swimsuitin which I get to celebrate women for who we are, what we have to say, and what change we can effect,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively about her debut in the magazine.
“I’m a size 14, I’m Asian and Middle Eastern, I’m queer,” the 32-year-old model says, adding, “and I’m proud to be in the pages ofSports Illustrated Swimsuitin order to represent the continued dismantling of the beauty ideal — especially at a time where we are seeing a decrease in diversity on runways, in television, etc.”
Lauren Chan.James Macari/ SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
The former fashion editor and Henning brand founder, who recently got divorced after coming out as queer, is “relieved, motivated, and excited” to be making her debut in theSI Swimsuitissue, which hits newsstands next month.
“When I recorded my casting tape, it was the first time I’d talked about my recent divorce and being newly out as queer; it was quite vulnerable and, to be honest, I was worried I’d overshared,” Chan tells PEOPLE.
“Two months later,SI Swimsuit’s editor-in-chief MJ Day told me that I would be in the 2023 issue; I could feel her support and encouragement through Zoom. I felt immediately committed to showing up as my whole self throughout this experience in hopes that it helps readers do the same in their lives.”
Not only is Chan breaking the mold in the modeling industry, she’s also not afraid to shake things up in her personal life if it means being true to herself.
The formerGlamourfashion editor wrote a first-person essay forthe magazineahead of theSI Swimsuitissue drop, and revealed what it was like to realize she was queer while married to a man.
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“Because I identified as straight until recently, most people I’ve privately come out to have been surprised at this change in my sexuality,” she wrote. “First and foremost: me. Believe it or not, I was shocked that I—a 30-something, married to a man, professional purveyor of self-acceptance—am coming out late.”
After starting therapy after a period of anxiety and stress, Chan started uncovering some deep-seated feelings and thoughts, specifically around her sexuality.
James Macari/ SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Chan also wrote about why she decided to come out in theSports Illustrated Swimsuitissue. “I spent my career representing women who look like me—and I’m ready for a chapter in which I get to celebrate us for who we are on the inside, too,” she said.
“That’s the SI Swimsuit mission and they’ve been hugely successful in moving our culture forward with it. (Ahem: Ashley Graham! Leyna Bloom! Maye Musk!) Here feels like the right place to celebrate my hard fought pride, relate to other folks in my position, and perhaps change some people’s view of the queer community.”
source: people.com
