With the recent headlines over Tyra Banks' weight, her decision to appear in the latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue was a landmark for a number of reasons.
With Beyonce on the cover, Banks celebrated her ten year anniversary within the pages. In 1997, the supermodel was the first African American woman to grace the cover of the best selling issue.
Along with her history making shoot, Banks was furthered showed how her added weight has not affected her career.
Cruel headlines, such as "Tyra Porkchop," forced the beauty to speak out over her 20 pound weight gain and on her successful talk show to PEOPLE.
Now, posing in the same red and white bikini as she did in her original photo spread, the star is feeling just as empowered - even if some extra fabric needed to be added.
She told the Associated Press, "I was about 140 pounds on that cover...and I'm 161 now. I'd say I looked like a stripper when I put it on. They covered the sides of my chest so that it wasn't so much hangin' out. And they put some extenders on the sides of the bikini bottom so it fit."
While she was initially nervous about bearing almost-all in the shoot, Banks says she resisted temptation to diet before hand.
She continued, "I think there's more power in embracing what I am now and showcasing that. I'm thinking that I should probably do this every 10 years. So, in 2017 maybe I'll get in the swimsuit again and I'll have to get them to add a little more fabric."
Banks is planning to premiere the photos on her talk show, "The Tyra Banks Show," next week.
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