Calendar Girls, Revisited: 1993

So, it's looking more and more like the swimsuit issue will be later than normal this year. Normally we'd be a month out at this point, and there'd have been plenty of communications about it. But other than a bit of activity last year, there's been a whole lot of silence.

As long as this February won't bring us any new photos, we might as well look at a February past. A couple of under-the-radar models graced us on 2/19/93: Shana Zadrick was the calendar girl and Tanya Mityushina was born.

A couple weeks later, we got Bregje Heinen and Judit Masco on March 5.

After couple more weeks, we had a collaboration between two cover girls: Kathy Ireland welcomed Danielle Herrington on the 26th.

And on October 8, Ashley Richardson introduced us to Barbara Palvin, for which we should be quite grateful.

I can't leave without mentioning Adaora. I believe she was born in 1993, but I can't for the life of me find the actual date. So here she is, in all her loveliness.

Rookie Reveal #5: Solveig

Today's reveal is Solveig.

Is it dismissive to refer to South Africa Swimsuit as SI's minor league system? A lot of rookies have been called up for their cups of coffee. Here Solveig provides a supplemental One-Piece Wednesday from the 2014 South African swimsuit extravaganza.

Solveig (Mørk Hansen) also joins the ranks of SI girls who've abandoned all or part of their last names.

Vendela (Kirsebom)

Manon (von Gerkan)

Anne V(yalitsyna)

Irina Shayk(hlislamova)

Too much confusion over pronunciation? Maybe. But they look as sweet.

A sharp-eyed commenter pointed out that I completely forgot Adaora (Akubilo).

Topless Tuesday: Adaora, 2013

Those We Lost: Adaora

Normally, I’d be putting together a “That’s the Way the Rookie Crumbles” post, listing the rookies from 2013 who didn’t make it back for the 2014 issue. However, Kate, Natasha, Hannah, and Emily all came back.

So inspired by the Oscars, I thought I’d make this week an “in memoriam” reel, listing those models who graced the pages for two or more years, but did not return in 2014.

Adaora took a long path to the swimsuit issue. She competed in the 2005 model search reality show, but didn’t appear until 7 years later. She’s gorgeous—I love her enormous, almond-shaped eyes.

And she’s African American, which unfortunately is still a rarity in the swimsuit issue. Sometimes it seems like there are only so many slots available to them… For example, two black models made their debuts in 2009: Ariel Meredith and Damaris Lewis. Then Ariel disappeared and Damaris stuck around for 2010 and 2011. Then when Ariel returned in 2012, Damaris disappeared.

But Adaora’s two years were beautiful. She never seemed to be a breakout star, but she quietly put out a few dozen excellent shots.

2012

2013

That's the Way the Rookie Crumbles 2013

It’s high time for the annual retrospective on rookie survival.

2012 brought us six new girls, only three of whom reappeared in 2013. We were treated to more Adaora, Jessica Perez, and Nina Agdal. But sadly, we lost Crystal Renn, Kirby Griffin, and Michelle Vawer.

This means, of course, that by winning a model search contest, and then not subsequently remaining a one-hit wonder, Jessica has broken the Swimsuit Contest Curse.

My biggest disappointment is losing Michelle Vawer. I thought she was pretty stunning.

Meanwhile, of the three rookies who survived from 2011 to 2012, we still have two. Kate Upton (of course):

…and Alyssa Miller.

This picture destroys me.

Meaning that after two issues, we say goodbye to Izabel Goulart.

Happy trails, Izabel!

One-Piece Wednesday: Adaora, 2012

Some cute stripes from the rookie.

Your 2012 Rookies

Voting for Rookie of the Year ends on March 12. At the moment, it looks like Nina Agdal is in the lead, followed by a tie between Jessica Perez and Michelle Vawer. I can't decide my favorite; it's a very nice crop this year.

In any case, like last year, I thought I'd try to place each rookie in some kind of mathematical/historical context.

Take Roshumba Williams and add Damaris Lewis's eyes, and you end up with Adaora.Early Kathy Ireland plus a touch of Kim Alexis gives you Nina Agdal.Two parts Isabeli Fontana and one part Alyssa Miller gives you Crystal Renn.Alicia Hall fortified with a nice dose of Valeria Mazza gives you Michelle Vawer.Tyra Banks with Josie Maran's face results in Kirby Griffin.Ingrid Seynhaeve with a splash of early Brooklyn Decker gives you Jessica Perez.Jessica's photos might be my overall favorites, but she already won a popular vote last year, so it might be time to give another girl a chance. I will say that Michelle is intoxicating, thanks to smooth and lovely shots like this one:

Adaorable

Apparently, today is the birthday of gorgeous rookie Adaora.Also apparently, we have seen Adaora before. She competed in 2005’s “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search” reality show, as Adaora Akubilo.That’s her, top and center.

She was eliminated in Week 2, and eventually Alicia Hall would prevail.Ariel Meredith, Bar Refaeli, and now Adaora? 2012 has been Old Home Week for SI.

Somewhere, I believe I have a stack of old VHS tapes with all the episodes from that TV show. It would be interesting to revisit her initial brush with the swimsuit issue.