Miami Swim Week took on a different energy this year. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway show at the W South Beach pool deck became something bigger than fashion, a celebration of confidence, diversity and the kind of representation that still feels rare on a major stage.
Lizzo commands the catwalk
Lizzo arrived on the runway in a bold blue one-piece swimsuit with a phrase printed across it tied to her upcoming album. Her hair was styled big and blonde, paired with hoop earrings and sharp makeup. The crowd was already locked in before she sang a note.
Midway through, she swapped into a black one-piece with a plunging neckline and performed live, delivering vocals that shifted the entire room. It was the kind of moment that reminded everyone why her presence at the show made sense. Lizzo has been a consistent voice for body positivity for years, and walking that runway was less a fashion appearance than a statement. One that needed no explanation.
Tiffany Haddish takes center stage
Tiffany Haddish brought her own force to the evening. As a cover model for the 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue, she walked the runway with the kind of humor and confidence that has always defined her public presence. The audience responded to every step. Her path to the cover has not been without difficulty, but none of that was visible on the runway. Only the ease of someone fully in her moment.
Celebrating Lizzo-level diversity in swimwear
The show extended well beyond its headliners. Women of various ages, sizes and backgrounds walked the W South Beach pool deck, each given the same platform and the same spotlight. The event made a clear case, visually and intentionally, that swimwear style does not belong to one kind of body or one kind of woman.
Where to watch
The full 2026 SI Swimsuit Runway Show will be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ starting June 9. For anyone who missed the live event, it is worth watching. Not just for the fashion, but for what the show chose to say about who belongs in it.