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Get Ready With 2023 Rookie Lauren Chan for the SI Swimsuit Launch Party

The model, entrepreneur and former fashion editor took fans behind the scenes for her glam process.
Lauren Chan.

Lauren Chan.

Lucky for Lauren Chan fans, the 2023 SI Swimsuit rookie brought everyone along behind the scenes as she filmed her preparation process ahead of the SI Swimsuit Launch party on May 18 at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City.

“A really special part of this look is that we have a hyper-high neckline and in order to have it as high as it can possibly be, we are hiding the dress up through the hair,” the Henning founder explained as the camera panned to a strap tied around her head that connected to the dress on her neck.

She filmed the GRWM video in partnership with ABC’s Good Morning America and donned a custom Willie Norris dress for the event celebrating the release of the annual magazine.

“Get ready with @lcchan, @si_swimsuit’s first plus-size queer Rookie,” GMA wrote alongside the video. “We got a behind-the-scenes look at her glam routine for the magazine’s launch event in New York. ✨#SportsIllustrated #Swimsuit #Model #Rookie #Magazine.” 

Chan continued to explain that the SI Swimsuit opportunity came along when the magazine reached out to her agency for a video.

“My casting tape spiel—I had down. I spent my career as a plus-size model and fashion editor focused on size inclusion. Then I had my own clothing business that made plus-size luxury clothes,” she explained. “But when the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit casting opportunity came around, I decided to instead tell a more personal story. The year leading up to this, I had gone through divorce, and I had come out and I decided to share that. Fast forward, here we are. I am now the first plus-size queer rookie to be in the magazine.”

Chan was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic for her debut feature.

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