Tiffany Haddish jokes about wardrobe fears during daring SI Swimsuit shoot

Tiffany Haddish is embracing a major career milestone after landing one of the coveted covers for the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, calling the experience both empowering and physically transformative.

The comedian and actress opened up about the emotional journey behind the photoshoot, revealing that becoming a swimsuit cover model had been a dream long before her rise in Hollywood.

Haddish shared that she once imagined earning the honour through athletics during her track and field days, but eventually let go of the idea after shifting her focus to comedy and acting.

Years later, however, the dream resurfaced after the actress worked to rebuild her health following serious knee injuries sustained while filming her 2019 comedy special Black Mitzvah.

The 46-year-old explained that recovering physically helped her reconnect with herself, eventually motivating her to pursue the goal she had quietly kept in the back of her mind.

Haddish said the demanding swimsuit shoot ultimately helped her become more in tune with her body and regain confidence in her physical abilities.

The actress admitted the experience was far more challenging than expected, recalling moments where she scraped her knees on lava rocks while filming in Mexico.

Despite the difficulties, Haddish praised the production team for creating a supportive atmosphere that allowed her to feel comfortable throughout the process.

She also joked about fearing wardrobe malfunctions during the beachside shoot, laughing that the ocean “likes to take your clothes off” while teasing that her “nipples wanted to be in the photo shoot so bad.”

The photoshoot, captured in Loreto, Baja California Sur, featured Haddish in a vibrant orange-and-yellow bikini that highlighted her athletic physique.

The star said she relied heavily on self-affirmation throughout filming, mentally reminding herself that she was “some kind of goddess” capable of achieving anything.