When Suni Lee’s radiant image lit up the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition on Tuesday, May 13, it wasn’t just a celebration of beauty — it was a quiet, powerful reclaiming of strength. As fans scrolled through her photos, many were quick to notice more than just the camera-ready smile or the poised confidence. One comment stood out. “I like the pictures, to me it looks like she’s made peace with her condition. It’s hard having your health robbed from you, I imagine being an athlete only makes it worse.” This wasn’t a comment about mental health, though Suni has endured her share of battles there too. This was something different — something physical, and deeply personal. Then? 

It was about the years when Suni Lee, an Olympic champion who soared in sparkling leotards under the global spotlight, felt trapped inside her own skin. Long before she was on glossy magazine covers or winning over America’s heart in Tokyo, Suni faced an invisible struggle. In the final push toward making Team USA, when her dream was just within reach, eczema came crashing down like an uninvited guest. Her arms, legs, even behind her neck — swollen, inflamed, painfully visible. The condition was not just itchy or uncomfortable. It was confidence-crushing.

For most, eczema is private. For a gymnast wearing formfitting leotards, performing on a world stage with cameras zoomed in from every angle, it was impossible to hide. “It was something that I felt ashamed of,” Suni admitted in an emotional interview with PopSugar last year. “Being in a leotard and competing for Team USA. Our skin is very exposed, cameras are always on us, people are always taking pictures, and it’s hard when you’re kind of ashamed to be looking at your own body or your skin because you can see that it’s rough or flaky.” Those words resurfaced again on May 17, when Inside Gymnastics Magazine posted Suni’s latest cover. The caption didn’t have to say much — the image spoke volumes. She wasn’t hiding anymore. There she stood, not just posing, but owning the very body that once made her feel small. But here the question is, how did she overcome the issue? Before going into that discussion, let’s get some details on the disease. 

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is more than just dry, itchy skin — it’s a chronic condition that can crack, ooze, and flare without warning. Around 7% of U.S. adults live with it, and nearly half experience moderate to severe symptoms. For teens, the numbers are even higher. But for elite athletes like Suni Lee, the battle is uniquely personal.

At just 22, Suni has faced the highs of Olympic gold — and the lows of painful, stress-triggered flare-ups. In that candid interview with PopSugar, she revealed, “I get the worst stress eczema flare-ups. At the 2021 Olympics, I was having a flare-up on my neck that I thankfully got handled right before the competition. But it happens a lot when I’m stressed and I can’t sleep. I get really bad flare-ups. So then I’m constantly itching and uncomfortable.” Still, Suni never let it stop her. Now, gracing the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover, she doesn’t need words to show how far she’s come. The photos say it all. 

Suni Lee shines up in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photo shoot 

When Sports Illustrated Swimsuit tapped National Geographic explorer and renowned photographer Ben Horton to capture Suni Lee, they knew they were creating something special. The shoot took place at the stunning Boca Raton, where Horton’s lens met Suni’s strength and grace — and the results were nothing short of breathtaking. Though Suni Lee’s cover officially dropped on May 13, SI Swimsuit began teasing the images as early as November on Instagram — and the reaction was electric. From fans to fellow stars, the praise poured in.

Olympic tennis sensation Coco Gauff, LSU gymnast and SI favorite Olivia Dunne, and even glam icon Kamie Crawford all showed their love for Suni, celebrating not just her beauty, but the quiet power in every shot. This wasn’t just a photo spread — it was a moment. One where an athlete known for flipping through the air landed firmly in her own spotlight.