The “CBS Mornings” co-host told People Tuesday that she was “really happy” but skeptical after hearing the offer.
“Talk about stepping outside of your box,” she told the outlet. “Honest to God, when they called me, I thought I was being punked. I did. I thought I was being punked.”
Gayle King thought she was being “punked” when asked to pose for Sports Illustrated Swim. Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated “Honest to God, when they called me, I thought I was being punked,” she told People on Tuesday. Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com/Shutterstock
King said she was “thrilled” to be chosen as a solo star — but cared more about the message it sent to other women.
“I’ve had so many women come up to me and say, that was so brave,” she said. “Was it brave? I was just excited.”
“That’s what it was for me,” she continued. “To show you that it’s 69 and feeling really fine.”
King posed in several colorful one-pieces during the photoshoot. Gayle King/Instagram King previously told People she “wanted tasteful cleavage.” Gayle King/Instagram
The television host was also joined on the 60th anniversary issue by Hunter McGrady, Kate Upton, Tyra Banks, Martha Stewart, Paulina Porizkova, Nina Agdal, Brooklyn Decker and other icons.
King previously told People that being on the cover “wasn’t something [she] dreamed about” but it quickly became one of the “highlights” of her career.
“I wanted tasteful cleavage, and they delivered on all of that,” King said of her looks.
The TV personality wanted to show people that she was “69 and feeling really fine.” John Ricard/Shutterstock The journalist was later chosen as a cover star for the mag. GC Images
On her morning show, King opened up about how the photos healed decades-old insecurities.
The Emmy-winning journalist revealed her grandma once told her, “Mother nature was not as kind to you as she was to other little girls. Maybe you need to start wearing makeup like your friend [Oprah].”
“But when I look at that, I look damn good,” she beamed.
King thought she was just featured on the “inside” until she was presented with her cover on an episode of “CBS Mornings.” CBS via Getty Images The Sports Illustrated Swim 60th anniversary issue came out in May. CBS via Getty Images
“Well, I can mark off one more item on my highly unlikely to ever happen bucket list! My teenage fantasy of hooking up with a Sports Illustrated Model has finally come true,” the lawyer told Page Six in May.
“WOW! Bravo to you Gayle … You Look Fantastic! Bravo to Sports Illustrated for selecting YOU!”
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