That’s the Way the Rookie Crumbles 2018

There was a pretty high retention rate from 2017 to 2018. Out of seven girls, five stuck around.

Bianca was the Rookie of the Year, so she was pretty much a lock.

Danielle, who I have to admit I thought was unlikely to return, came back with a great cover.

Lais, Myla, and Vita were three of my favorites, and I love having them back.

The newly minted one-hit wonders are Kelly Gale and Mia Kang.

I never got a chance to get into Mia Kang.

But Kelly Gale is a huge loss.

Miss her already.

Topless Tuesday: Lais Ribeiro, 2018

In my last post, I mentioned that Barbara might be my favorite current model. But Lais gives her a run for her money.

Her 2018 shots are even better than last year's.

Thumb-Hook Thursday: Barbara Palvin, 2018

Barbara Palvin is magnificent.

For some reason, I felt her first year in the swimsuit issue seemed a little... hesitant?

Her second year was fantastic. And now?

I think her 2018 shots establish her as my favorite current SI model. She can do no wrong.

And in keeping with my nostalgia kick, this little number she wears:

...reminds me of this Jill Goodacre poster I had in my room in the late 80s.

SI, hold on to this girl as long as you can.

One-Piece Wednesday: Jasmyn Wilkins, 2018

I inadvertently left Jasmyn off my list of name-tagged beauties last week.

Topless Tuesday: Kate Upton, 2018

Kate remains the undulating blonde bombshell she was created to be.

In Memoriam

I’m planning a lawsuit against Sports Illustrated.

A few months ago, I mapped out my ideal 2018 swimsuit issue. It included eight 2017 models I’d have loved to see come back.

SI got rid of three of them.

It’s very tough to lose Bo Krsmanovic, Hannah Ferguson, and Rose Bertram. I feel like there must be intolerable cruelty or breach of contract or some legal concept I can use to get those girls back.

Anyway, let’s survey the damage.

Bo Krsmanovic

I could have seen Bojana come back over and over again for years. This dark, Serbian beauty had a lot more swimsuit in her.

• • •

Rose Bertram

I’m even more torn up by the loss of this cute, bubbly, buxom young woman.

• • •

Hannah Ferguson

And the centerpiece. Hannah F was a sleek, blonde bombshell, and I can’t believe she’s gone.

• • •

Hannah Davis

Hannah D (or Hannah J if you prefer) was a staple and will be missed. Though as I’ve mentioned before, I think we have a good replacement in Chase Carter.

• • •

Nina Agdal

It was a respectable run for Nina! Six years. Looking at her photos, it’s clear how the Photoshop waxed and waned. (Look how Vaseline-smeared her 2013 shot is.)

• • •

Chrissy Teigen

And this is the end of an era. Chrissy was the last remaining model who was active when this blog had its first post on June 1, 2010. The turnover is complete

Thumb-Hook Thursday: Georgia Gibbs, 2018

The lovely Australian rookie shows us a couple textbook thumb-hooks.