Lauren Chan defends body positivity in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit

Canadian model Lauren Chan is defending her recent appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. She responded to a critic on social media who questioned why the magazine features her. The critic's comment implied that the inclusion of her image was not for women and that it made "zero sense." Chan, known for promoting body positivity, shared her thoughts alongside a screenshot of the comment. She emphasized that Sports Illustrated is for women and aims to inspire instead of objectifying them. She pointed out that her presence in the magazine represents a shift in how women are perceived in society. In her post, Chan highlighted her identity as a size 14 model of Asian and Middle Eastern descent, and as a lesbian. She stated that this broadens the definition of beauty and helps others see themselves represented. The model stated that the magazine is about rewriting beauty ideals, not conforming to outdated standards. Her post received a lot of support, with many praising her for speaking up. Influencer Sarah Nicole Landry echoed the sentiment, expressing that women should celebrate other women. Chan, who made history as the first openly queer, plus-sized model in Sports Illustrated in 2023, has faced negative comments in the past but shares how she copes with them. In earlier interviews, Chan has discussed overcoming societal pressures and feeling empowered by shedding the "male gaze." She believes her confidence improved after coming out and no longer trying to fit traditional beauty norms.