NEW YORK — Bar Refaeli has landed one of the most coveted titles in the modeling world, having been revealed as this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition cover girl.
"I am so happy, I am ecstatic! I'm in heaven right now," the 23-year-old model told People of her reaction.
For the Israel-born model, landing the cover is something that she's wished for for a long time.
"It was my dream. When I was 15 and started modeling, my agent came to my house with Sports Illustrated magazines and taught me to look at the girls and the way they communicated with the camera. I learned from them," she told the mag.
Refaeli said all of the cover models before her were well-deserving, but said her two favorites were Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum. Refaeli, who is currently dating Leonardo DiCaprio, said that she has long admired how the "Project Runway" host carrys on with her husband Seal and their family.
"You can see she's totally into her family, so into motherhood, and she doesn't take herself too seriously," she said of Klum. "That's inspiring. That would be something I'd love — to be able to have a family alongside an incredible career. I wish I could have that someday."
In her SI cover, Refaeli is wearing a string bikini by Missoni that she is tugging down and exposing her tan lines.
"The cover has to reflect the athleticism and sexiness of the culture," SI group editor Terry McDonell told Access Hollywood. "This photo is modern, her hair and swimsuit look natural. You see her freckles. Her body is amazing and she looks intelligent."
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