For the main cover, Lizzo posed in a bikini of her own design—a black swimsuit from Yitty Swim (the inclusive shapewear and apparel brand she launched in 2022), paired with a sheer sarong and Ralph Lauren earrings.

The Grammy winner admits that as a child, she couldn't even imagine something like this. “When I was younger and looked at this magazine, I couldn't imagine that a girl with my body type would ever be on the cover. It's incredible to see how, since my childhood, we have redefined concepts of sexiness, self-confidence, and what a 'swimsuit body' actually looks like.”

The singer is well aware that the cover will provoke a wave of critics, and she already has a bold response ready for them: “The sight of this cover, where I'm so sexy, curvy, and gorgeous in my swimsuit, might trigger some people. Well... stay triggered!”

In a candid conversation, the singer also addressed the 20 pounds (9 kg) she intentionally gained over the past year. Earlier this month, in an interview with The Guardian, she stated that a "system of oppression" keeps women in show business under a constant microscope. “I wanted to get juicier and curvier—and I did. The critics in the comments think it happened by accident, but they have no idea that it was completely intentional.”