Crystal Renn for Sports Illustrated

Admittedly, I took to Crystal Renn straightaway. As a plus-size model she was an example of the industry’s changing attitudes towards beauty and she raised hope for so many overweight individuals. But last year, Renn came under criticism due to her massive weight loss. In return, the former plus-size model blasted back on an interview with Ford Models where she explained herself:

"A lot of people wanted to point their finger at somebody. They wanted to find a conspiracy when there actually was none. I feel pressure probably more than any place from the public and the media. I think by placing a title on my head—which is plus-size—and then the picture that these people have created in their mind about what plus-size actually is, I basically fail you just with that, as I couldn’t possibly live up to that.”

I really get her and her feelings. But her latest shots for Sports Illustrated which reached the public lately really blindsided me. I mean, there is no reason why Renn shouldn't be a SI-model, but it's sort of weird. Or did you imagine her to be a swimsuit model for a sports magazine? I didn't. And although I believe that photoshop made a good job of it, the results turned out to be great. Check out the whole campaign.