Let’s be real for a second. The modeling world loves a binary. You’re either a sample size zero or you’re "plus-size." There is rarely a comfortable seat for anyone living in the middle. Then comes Sports Illustrated Myla Dalbesio, a woman who basically blew up that entire conversation by just... showing up.
It was 2017. Myla made her rookie debut for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, and people didn't quite know where to put her. She wasn't the "traditional" waif, but she wasn't what the industry labeled plus-size either. She was a size 8. In the real world, that’s a small-to-medium. In fashion? It was a revolution. Honestly, it’s kind of wild that a healthy, athletic woman from Wisconsin being in a magazine caused such a stir, but that was the landscape.
She didn't just pose, though. She wrote. She talked. She fought.
Why Sports Illustrated Myla Dalbesio Still Matters Today
Most people remember the photos—Curaçao, Aruba, Kangaroo Island. They were gorgeous. But the reason we are still talking about the Sports Illustrated Myla Dalbesio era years later is because of the "In Her Own Words" project in 2018.
If you haven't seen it, it was raw. No bikinis. Just Myla, some carefully placed body paint, and a lot of vulnerability. She had words like "strength within" and "built to carry the weight" written on her skin. It wasn't just about looking good in a swimsuit; it was about the #MeToo movement and the reality of being a woman whose body is constantly scrutinized by strangers on the internet.
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Myla has been very vocal about the "in-between" struggle. She’s too "big" for high fashion and sometimes told she’s too "small" for plus-size bookings. It’s a frustrating limbo. By staying in the SI family for four consecutive years (2017–2020), she proved there is a massive audience of women who just want to see someone who looks like them. Someone who eats cheese and drinks beer—she’s a Wisconsin girl, after all—and doesn't apologize for having a shape.
The Feminist "Contradiction"
You’ve probably heard the critics. "How can you be a feminist and a swimsuit model?"
Myla has a pretty blunt answer for that: body autonomy. She’s argued time and again that feminism is about the right to choose what you do with your own skin. If she wants to roll around in the sand in a tiny bikini because she spent a decade working to get to that level of success, that’s her choice. It’s not for the male gaze; it’s for her.
She once told Fox News that people often assume a model's life is perfect once they hit the big leagues. It's not. She still deals with body shaming. Even after her SI shoots, people would comment on her Instagram telling her she looked "better with more weight" or "too thin now." You literally cannot win with the public.
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The Journey Through the Issues
Myla didn't just stay in one lane during her time with SI. Each year felt like a different chapter of her life.
- 2017 (Curaçao): The debut. The world meets the "in-between" model.
- 2018 (Aruba & NYC): The year of "In Her Own Words." This is where she really cemented herself as an advocate, not just a face.
- 2019 (Kangaroo Island): A more seasoned, confident Myla. She talked about feeling better in her mind and body than ever before.
- 2020 (Wyoming): This one was different. No tropical beach. Just horses, 40-degree sunrises, and a Carhartt jacket thrown over a bikini. It was rugged and felt very much like her "true" self.
The Wyoming shoot with photographer Ruven Afanador is often cited as a fan favorite because it felt like art. It wasn't just "sexy"; it was atmospheric. She even fought to keep that bulky Carhartt jacket in the shot because it felt authentic to her roots. That’s the thing about Myla—she’s not a mannequin. She’s a creative director, a photographer, and a person with an actual opinion on the lighting.
Beyond the Pages
What is she doing now? She’s not just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring. Myla is a multi-hyphenate. She co-owns a restaurant called One & Only in Madison, Wisconsin. She’s behind the camera as much as she is in front of it.
She’s also been open about the trauma of the industry. She’s talked about her mother’s battle with breast cancer and how that shaped her view of strength. For Myla, the body is a tool for expression, not just something to be looked at.
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Breaking the Mold: Actionable Takeaways
If you’re looking at Myla Dalbesio’s career and wondering what the "point" is beyond the glossy pages, it’s about the shift in how we define beauty. Here is how you can actually apply her philosophy to your own life:
- Stop labeling yourself. Myla hates the term "plus-size" for her body. She prefers just "model." Stop fitting yourself into a box (size, career title, or role) that someone else built.
- Own your "Big" personality. Myla famously said she’s "big in all ways"—big voice, big personality. She refuses to make herself smaller or quieter to fit in. Neither should you.
- Practice Body Autonomy. Whether it’s what you wear or how you present yourself online, remember that your body belongs to you. The "gaze" of others is their problem, not yours.
- Value the "In-Between." Most of us live in the middle. We aren't extremes. There is power in representing the average, the healthy, and the realistic.
Myla Dalbesio didn't just change Sports Illustrated; she changed the way the industry looks at the "average" woman. She made it okay to be a size 8 and still be a superstar. And honestly? It was about time.
Focus on building your own "Warrior Team" of people who respect your voice. Start by identifying the environments—work, social, or digital—where you feel pressured to be "smaller" and actively seek out spaces that celebrate your full volume. Whether you are pursuing a creative career or just trying to feel better in your own skin, take a page from Myla: don't wait for permission to be seen.