Twenty-four-year-old Danielle Herrington made a splash in 2018 as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model, marking her debut as one of the few Black women to hold the iconic cover. Herrington took to social media with excitement, sharing, “I hope that young girls who look at this cover are inspired to dream as big as I did and work hard to attain all their goals.” Here’s what you need to know about this rising star in the modeling world.
#1. She’s a Proud Compton Native
Hailing from Compton, California, Herrington’s childhood was “pretty normal,” she shared with Fox News. Growing up, Herrington spent afternoons at her grandmother’s house with her siblings, swimming, biking, and bouncing on the trampoline, surrounded by the love and support of her family and community.
#2. The Third Black Woman To Join the Sports Illustrated Elite
With her historic cover, Herrington became only the third Black woman to be featured on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover, following in the footsteps of Tyra Banks (1997) and Beyoncé (2005). At a pivotal moment for representation in fashion, Herrington proudly joined these groundbreaking cover models, embodying the SI tradition of celebrating diversity in beauty.
#3. Modeling Ambitions Sparked at Age 13
Herrington began her modeling journey young, attending the John Casablancas modeling school by age 11 and diving into the industry around 13. However, she didn’t go all in on her career until 2015, when she left her studies to attend a Seventeen magazine back-to-school event.
#4. Big Brands Have Already Taken Notice
Herrington’s modeling portfolio includes major names like Guess and Juicy Couture. Her big break on the runway came in New York Fashion Week, where she walked for the Spring 2017 Philipp Plein show, proving her runway power among fashion’s elite.
#5. She’s No Stranger to Sports Illustrated
Herrington joined the Sports Illustrated Swim Rookie class of 2017, where she made waves among fans and industry insiders. Swim editor MJ Day praised her as a “natural brand ambassador”—a distinction shared by SI legends like Kate Upton and Chrissy Teigen.
#6. Tyra Banks Has Been Her Ultimate Role Model
Tyra Banks’ groundbreaking 1997 cover deeply inspired Herrington to pursue modeling. “That’s what really made me pursue modeling,” she told Fox News. In a full-circle moment, Herrington was surprised by Banks, who handed her a copy of the magazine featuring her own cover shot—a moment Danielle described as a dream come true.
#7. If She Weren’t Modeling, She’d Be Studying Psychology
Herrington has a passion for psychology and previously studied the field, fascinated by how the mind works. “If I wasn’t a model, I’d probably be working toward becoming a child psychiatrist,” she revealed to GQ, underscoring her interest in understanding and helping others.
Herrington’s journey is one marked by ambition, hard work, and a deep-rooted pride in her background. As she continues to make waves in the fashion industry, she remains a powerful inspiration for young girls everywhere.
