Yumi Nu has made history by becoming the first Asian curve model to pose for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition.
The Japanese-Dutch model will appear in the 2021 edition of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition, which is set to hit newsstands on July 20.
"Secrets out!!! I'm a 2021 @si_swimsuit Rookie! What an incredible honor it is to be in such an inclusive and beautiful magazine that has pushed the envelope since day 1. I'm so proud to be making history as the first Asian curve Sports Illustrated model," Nu wrote on Instagram on Thursday (March 18).
Alongside the announcement, the model shared a picture from the shoot which featured her in a green puff-sleeved Agua Bendita bikini top ($110) and tie-front bottom ($90).
She also shared a video of herself from the shoot and elaborated on why her appearance in the issue is so significant.
"I've grown very passionate in recent years in talking about the body shame that Asian women and women in general go through, because it was something that was very difficult for me growing up," she explained.
"I don't want anyone to go through life with the lie that they aren't enough as they are. It stops us from living our fullest lives."
Concluded Nu in all caps: "WE ARE WORTHY!!! WE ARE DESERVING OF GOOD THINGS!!! LETS GO!!!"
Sports Illustrated editor and producer MJ Day said that Nu "possesses the most confidence and appreciation for herself and body that we've ever seen", in a statement on the SI website.
"She doesn’t hold herself to any traditional beauty standards and is gracefully unapologetic for seeing herself as a powerful, beautiful, sensual woman," Day added.
"She shows up for women in a strong way and is on a mission to end the conversation around limiting women in the industry. Not only is she stunning and an extraordinary model, but she also radiates warmth and the kind of energy that we always want to have around."
However, modeling is far from Nu's only talent, as Page Six reports that as well as having 12 years of modeling experience, she has also been singing and writing her own songs since the age of 12 and released music for Aoki's Dim Mak Records.
