In your mind, the best part of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is probably imagining what goes on behind the scenes when the shoot is taking place: a bunch of scantily clad models running around in the sand, it sounds like paradise. And during a recent interview, 2010 Swimsuit Issue cover model Brooklyn Decker made it clear to us that the real deal is, in fact, a lot like your fantasy.
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MF: The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue just came out. As someone who's been on the cover, what do you think it takes for a girl to land that coveted spot?
BD: "I wish I had the answer to that. They didn't tell me until the day before it came out, so I didn't know. It was my sixth or seventh year shooting. I did Sports Illustrated for so long and every year you do cover tries, so you always think there could be a chance. And then they don't tell you until like the day or two before. So I have no idea what the formula is. They tell us it's just based on the image and if it's a powerful enough image or not. I don't know what else goes into it. I hear there's like secret testing that goes on. But it's like Fort Knox over there. No one tells anyone anything–it's all rumored and we're all kind of kept in the dark."
Every guy wants to know what goes on behind the scenes at the swimsuit issue shoots.
"It's like a vacation with your family. I mean, Sports Illustrated–they are like family. I haven't done it in two years, and they're still like family to me. It's not work at all. It's so much fun. I mean, you have long hours, but you're on the beach with your friends. The trips and photo shoots are as legendary as people hope they are. They're really fun, I have to say."
What's your favorite swimsuit cover of all time?
"I really loved Marisa Miller's cover, just because I love Marisa. She's a friend of mine, and I just adore her. Heidi Klum is incredible. Paulina Porizkova years ago, I think she was 18 when she got her first cover. She was unbelievable too, and so beautiful. I really love the classic covers, I really do."
"Chrissy Teigen. She's one of my best girlfriends. I've known her for years. Jessica Gomes, too, because she has also been doing it for years. I mean all the girls who I started out with who are now in like their eighth or ninth year, I root for those girls every issue. So fingers crossed for next year!"
Would you have taken it all off and done the body paint thing if you were still doing it?
"I already did it once. I think five years ago. And I was kind of shy about doing it, just because, you know, everything's out there. I got to cover my top, which sounds crazy but it was actually more covered than just being painted. I get to say that I did it once, which was enough for me."
