Kim Kardashian Makes Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Debut With Emotional Letter

Kim Kardashian has achieved yet another major milestone!

After gracing several magazine covers for years, the iconic reality star has finally made her debut on the prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover for its 2022 issue launch.

Kim didn't fail to turn heads with her cover photo, but she also got candid about her growth over the past decades in an emotional letter to her younger self.

Sports Illustrated glamorously unveiled the models on the covers of #SISwim22 on Monday, May 16, and fans were thrilled to see Kim Kardashian among the four women chosen for this year's issue.

Kim didn't fail to turn heads, wearing a nude SKIMS two-piece bikini that matched closely to her skin and flaunted her killer curves. The socialite who is known to always make a fashion statement matched the bikini with nude gloves as she posed near a rock at the waterside.

Per reports, Kim's photos for this year's issue were taken by photographer Greg Swales in the Dominican Republic to create a futuristic look similar to her recent styles on the red carpet.

The "KUWTK" alum worked with her longtime hairstylist Chris Appleton and makeup artist ​​Mario Dedivanovic to achieve her looks while stylist Danielle Levi handled the poses and theme of the shoot.

In one of the images, Kim was seen looking as sexy as ever, riding a matte black motorcycle while donning a grey leather long-sleeved bodysuit with futuristic sunglasses and lime green biker gloves.

According to SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief, MJ Day, Kim was chosen to grace the cover of the highly-coveted magazine, because of her impact as a fashion powerhouse and social justice activist.

Day, in a statement, praised the reality star, saying, "Kim, no stranger to the world’s judgment, continues to live proudly, authentically, and unapologetically through the noise."

For her cover story, Kim penned a heartfelt letter to her younger self, detailing her growth amid the pressures of fame.

"It's easy to say to just ignore the criticism, but another thing you'll learn is that at some point it will click in your head that it's not about you anymore," Kim began her emotional letter.

She continued, "It's about family. It's about helping other people. For years you'll be putting yourself out there… But you're going to become a more private person and you're going to come to realize that the way to get your story out there—the actual narrative, the truth—isn't by engaging but by doing."

The mother-of-four told her younger self that when May 2022 finally approaches and they see their SI Cover, it wouldn't still lead to satisfaction and content.

She explained, "You're still going to be looking for that next 'it'…And when you find it, you're going to do it — we're going to do it —like we always do: to the fullest."

As for her reaction to seeing herself on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, the 41-year-old gushed, "I vividly remember Tyra Banks on the cover and women with curves. I remember thinking that is so cool. But, I still didn't think I would have - I thought you had to be a professional model and a runway model."

The Los Angeles native shared that she also believed that young women were the only ones allowed to appear on the prestigious cover.

"It was always really young girls. I don't want to date myself or sound old but in my 40's? That's crazy! I never thought in a million years I would be shooting one myself," Kim confessed.

As stated earlier, Kim is among the four women selected to lead this year's issue. The socialite joins other impressive women such as singer Ciara — a first-time model cover for SI.

Veteran model, Maye Musk, also graces the cover. The dietitian has appeared on SI several times and has been in the industry for over 50 years.

Singer-songwriter Yumi Nu is the fourth cover model and made her SI debut last year. The Asian artist is the proud founder of Blueki, a plus-size clothing line with fresh and modern styles.

All of the ladies were selected as part of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's push for diversity and empowerment.