Sports Illustrated features first ever male model in annual swim search

The male model, Lewis Freese, is one of 15 finalists.

(Lewis Freese/Instagram)

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has revealed the finalists for its 2021 Swim Search competition and, for the first time, a male model has made the list.

The finalist is Lewis Freese, a 21-year-old from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Freese is the first male in the history of the competition to make it as a finalist. Speaking to People magazine he said: “The entire concept of being the first male does not phase me.”

He added:  “I really don’t view myself as the first but as the next.

“The next model to break a barrier, the next model to have these uncomfortable conversations, the next model to be unapologetically myself.

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“I am so grateful to be a part of a group of finalists who all represent completely different messages, yet have the same goal, to further inclusivity.”

Freese first applied for Swim Search in 2019, a time when he says he was “dealing with a lot of confusion”. He explained: “I was confused about my identity, my gender, and really where I was going to go.” 

In his interview with People magazine, the 21-year-old said he wanted to bring these discussions around gender and identity to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

In a post on Instagram account, Freese addressed his thoughts around identity and gender.

The caption said: “Going through this process i have learned so much about myself and most importantly my identity. to be honest, i have noooo clue where my gender really falls at the moment but all i can do is take things day by day and share every moment with all of you.”

Freese added that it was “so much bigger than me and you” and that it was about “starting a conversation that is barely being had”.

The annual competition has been run virtually this year, as a result of the pandemic. An announcement on the Swim Search website said that the result was “bigger and better”.

It said: “The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit franchise is all about empowerment and is a platform championing diversity,  inclusion and positive change.

“At the heart of that includes Swim Search, where this year, people from around the world gathered virtually, sharing their stories for an opportunity to become a part of the brand.

“The result was bigger and better than ever resulting in a community built around strength, support and a platform for people to connect and create moments of self-discovery.”