There’s no denying it, Brianna Stewart is tall and it’s noticeable. She herself would say so. “That’s the first thing people notice about me,” she said on the set of the 2022 SI Swimsuit photoshoot. These days, that fact doesn’t bother her. But there was a time when it might have made her a little self-conscious.
Stewart, who was already over 6 feet 0 inches tall in high school, struggled to find clothes that fit her perfectly. A long-sleeved shirt will hit your arms at three-thirds of the way. These days, we know it’s not just about finding the right clothes; The New York Liberty star has proven time and time again with his amazing pre-game fashion that he’s had the same problem before.
These days, the 30-year-old doesn’t struggle with the same feelings of self-consciousness about her height or anything else. On the contrary, she decided to accept it. Her height is different from usual, but it doesn’t matter to her. After all, as Stewart herself said on the set of a St. Thomas photoshoot, “being different doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”
Of course, it took some time for the athlete to come to that realization, but now she recognizes it and Stewart has similarly reflected it in her idea of beauty.
Stewart recently said that she thinks of beauty as “being comfortable in your own skin, being confident, accepting all the differences and loving your body.” In other words, she now believes that difference, and embracing that difference, is essential to beauty. “There are so many things in this world that make us all different,” she said. “There’s only one me. I’m one of them, and I love every aspect of it.”
We couldn’t have expressed it better ourselves. Each of us boasts unique qualities and characteristics, and our beauty lies in those unique qualities and characteristics.
On the St. Thomas set, Stewart didn’t just offer inspiring thoughts on beauty. It was her first photoshoot with the brand, and she made the most of it. Wearing a series of all-black swimsuits, she posed in front of an idyllic tropical backdrop, showcasing her strength and the unique qualities that make her beautiful.
The snapshots combined with her sit-down interviews made this trip well worth it. Even after all these years, we still remember her powerful message and photos. Here are some snaps that still stick in my mind.
Brianna Stewart was photographed by Laretta Houston of St. Thomas. Love Wave swimsuit. Earrings by Eklexic / Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrate
Brianna Stewart was photographed by Laretta Houston of St. Thomas. Love Wave swimsuit. Earrings by Eklexic / Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrated
Brianna Stewart was photographed by Laretta Houston of St. Thomas. Riot Swim swimsuit. Martha Calbo earrings and bracelets. SOKO bracelets and rings. /Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrated
