Emily Ratajkowski is the favourite to be the cover star of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Emily Ratajkowski
The 23-year-old model is reportedly the top pick for bosses to land the coveted spot after enjoying an incredible last two years appearing in multiple campaigns, stripping naked for the controversial video for Robin Thicke's 'Blurred Lines' and landing a role in film 'Gone Girl' with Ben Affleck.
However, Ratajkowski is facing stiff competition from Hannah Davis and Gigi Hadid - the model daughter of 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star Yolanda Foster - for the front page.
An insider told the New York Daily News newspaper: "Emily is the biggest buzz overall right now but Gigi seems to be the 'It Girl' of the moment and Hannah had a big last couple of years."
Speaking about the publishers picking one model from the three favourites, the source added: "Sports Illustrated have been grooming them, making sure to get them all coverage and prominence over the last year or so - bookings, events, PR and shoots."
Ratajkowski appeared in the 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as did Hadid. Runway star Davis - the girlfriend of baseball legend Derek Jeter - appeared in the pages of the special issue in 2013.
The 2014 cover featured Lily Aldridge, Nina Agdal and Chrissy Teigen all posing together in butt-baring bikinis.
The 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is out on February 9.
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