Emily DiDonato, a familiar face in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editions, first graced the magazine in 2013 with a photoshoot in Namibia. She subsequently appeared in four issues, showcasing her modeling skills in locations like Switzerland, Hawai’i, and Turks and Caicos, before pausing her appearances for three years.
Now a 32-year-old businesswoman, DiDonato made a comeback in the 2020 issue, captured by Ruven Afanador in Saratoga, Wyoming. Her latest feature was in Sacramento, California, in 2021, photographed by Anne Menke. DiDonato, a mother of two children, Oliver and Teddy, with her husband Kyle Peterson, has ventured into entrepreneurship with Covey, her skincare brand. Covey focuses on simplifying skincare routines with essential and straightforward products.
DiDonato reflected on her modeling career, acknowledging the personal growth she experienced. She discussed the challenges of the industry, particularly the pressure to conform to certain beauty standards, and how she learned to embrace her own identity instead of comparing herself to others. DiDonato emphasized the importance of not letting these standards consume one’s thoughts and emotions, as they can impede personal growth and happiness.
The article concludes by highlighting some of the top photographs from DiDonato’s 2014 photoshoot in Switzerland, shot by Yu Tsai.