Cristina Gonzalez/Staff Writer
Only six months after graduating, Manuela Alvarez Hernandez posed on the sandy beaches of the Bahamas for the 2019 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
At the Atlantis Resort, she sported swimsuits from Toxic Sadie and Ola Vida while dolphins jumped from the water behind her.
The Colombian model, whose high-school classmates voted her “most likely to appear in a Sports Illustrated issue”, never imagined she’d be one of six women featured in the magazine. After getting signed to LA Models agency, Hernandez spent her junior year at FIU flying between Los Angeles and Miami.
When she completed her degree in 2018, Hernandez dedicated herself to modeling full time.
Two days before the SI audition video was due, Hernandez took a chance and submitted her video alongside 10,000 other hopefuls. Once her video was selected, Hernandez went through another round of casting, until she was selected to the final six women who would appear in the issue.
“In January, I got a Skype call from MJ [Sports Illustrated editor], It was the best news I had ever heard,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez not only saw her dream become a reality, but she also made history as the first woman from Medellín, Colombia to appear in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
Hernandez in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Hernandez and other models were shot in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Photo courtesy of Hernandez.
“It means the world,” said Hernandez. “Being from Medellín and coming from a small town with no real connections in the industry but being able to achieve this goal, is crazy. It’s an honor to be able to represent my home and Latinas.”
All the women who were part of the 2019 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue traveled to a variety of locations around the world. For her photo shoot, Hernandez traveled to Paradise Island, Bahamas.
“It was amazing. I had never been to Atlantis, so it was a great experience,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez’s transition into the modeling world wasn’t always picture perfect, however.
As a Latina with curves, the model expressed that she went through personal struggles because she didn’t fit the stereotypical mold of a model. By the time she heard about an open casting call from Sports Illustrated she was reconsidering her modeling career and exploring other options.
“I had decided I was done modeling; I was actually looking for internships and an office job. But something in me told me that I had to give it another chance,” said Hernandez.
And it paid off. She now has been featured in the same iconic magazine that showcases the likes of Tyra Banks and Olivia Culpo. An accomplishment that will further propel her into her career.
This year’s Sports Illustrated spread was all about shattering perceptions and breaking barriers, all things the former FIU panther strives to do.
“I’m not your typical you know ‘model type’, I’m curved,” said Hernandez. “The fact that I was able to achieve this just with hard work and perseverance and just being confident in who I am; that’s the best thing you can do. Just love yourself first, be confident and own what you got.”
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