One of Australia’s most popular curve models has opened up about the moment she found out she would be pictured in Sports Illustrated,
One of the country’s most popular curve models, who is vying to be pictured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, has told the hilarious story of how she found out she would be featured in the famous American magazine.
Georgina Burke, 31, has been announced as one of eight rookie models who will appear in the highly anticipated 2022 swimsuit edition which will be released in May.
The 185 cm model born in Brisbane, who now lives in Manhattan, New York, has worked with prestigious brands like Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
She also launched her own swimwear brand called Burke NYC in 2019.
Prior to the magazine’s release, Burke said she was shocked when she received the call from Sports Illustrated.
She explained that she was in Montana for Thanksgiving and initially rejected her agent’s phone call because she was lying in bed.
When the former law student called her agent back soon after, she was told she had a fitting for the magazine the same day.
Burke took the first flight to New York for editing and was then flown to Barbados the next morning for the beach shoot.
“It was so crazy. I had untouched hair regrowth and didn’t have time for a manicure or a pedicure,” she said.
“I was actually removing my red acrylic nails in the taxi from the airport.
“I actually met Sports Illustrated three years ago and told them I wasn’t ready then, but this time the time was right. I’m so grateful and excited.
She said it was rewarding to see women of all sizes appearing regularly in high-profile campaigns and magazines.
Burke said curve models are more accepted in the United States and Australia still has some way to go.
“I was a big kid – tall and broad. The kids were calling me every name in the book and throwing my lunch across the playground,” she said.
“It got so bad in elementary school that my parents pulled me out to go to a private girls’ high school, but even there I didn’t fit in. By then I was used to to be different, so I was dying my hair all kinds of colors. I was always the odd one out.
“Don’t let anyone hold you back because if someone wants you to be something you’re not, you won’t be authentic. As soon as you become true to yourself, you might end up doing Sports Illustrated.
Burke isn’t the only Australian to feature in the prestigious magazine.
Duckie Thot, who appeared on the eighth season of Australia’s Next Top Model, was also named as one of the magazine’s eight rookie models.
The South Sudanese model, who grew up in Melbourne, has also worked with top brands like TopShop, Victoria’s Secret, L’Oreal and Yeezy.
She took to social media to say she was “so excited” to break the news.
“Shooting was a dream!! It hasn’t been figured out yet, but I’m more than honored to be part of the family,” her post read.
Originally published as two Australian models to make their Sports Illustrated debut in the May swimsuit edition
