Swimsuit model Damaris Lewis was born in 1991 in Brooklyn, New York.

She has appeared in both the 2009 and 2010 editions of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Lewis began her career at the age of fifteen after being found at a benefit dinner and she has had much success early on modeling for the companies Benetton and Clarins. She has also previously appeared in ad campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, along with the Victoria's Secret PINK line. http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/Damaris_Lewis/

In addition, she's walked on the runways for Barbara Tfank and Elie Tahari and even opened and closed the Spring 2009 Baby Phat show, which was broadcast on a jumbotron in New York City. http://www.modelinia.com/models/damaris-lewis/182

Lewis attended LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts as a dance major. She currently is represented by Elite Model Management in both New York and Los Angeles, along with Success Models.http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/Damaris_Lewis/

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue was invented by Sports Illustrated editor Andre Laguerre to fill the winter months, a typically slow point in the sporting calendar. He asked fashion reporter Jule Campbell to go on a shoot to fill space, including the cover, with a beautiful model. The first issue, released in 1964, entailed a cover featuring Babette March and a five-page layout.http://www.slate.com/id/2159853/

It would not be until 1997 that there was a full issue dedicated to the swimsuit edition. Prior to that, the edition was merely an insert or layout within the magazine itself. The 1978 issue with Cheryl Tiegs wearing a fishnet swimsuit, is one of the most famous as it led to 340 cancellations of subscriptions. http://www.slate.com/id/2159853/

Beyoncé Knowles was the first non model and first singer to appear on the cover of the magazine in 2007. Athletes that have been featured include softball pitcher Jennie Finch, WNBA star Lauren Jackson, tennis stars Steffi Graf, Anna Kournikova, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams, swimmer Amanda Beard and race car driver Danica Patrick, among others.

Overall, Elle McPherson has appeared on the cover the most times with five, ranging from 1986 to 2006. Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Kathy Ireland and Daniela Pestova are next with three covers apiece, while several others have a pair of covers to their credit. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/swimsuit/collection/covers/