Photo: Lewis Freese
Lewis Freeseis challenging the norm.
The Minnesota native and full-time student just became the first male finalist in the history ofSports Illustrated Swimsuit’sannual Swim Search, an open casting call that gives fresh faces and established models alike the opportunity to prove why they would be a great addition to the franchise’s iconicSwimsuit Issue.
Speaking with PEOPLE exclusively, Freese says he’s happy to be part of a larger conversation about inclusivity, but “the entire concept of being the first male does not phase me.”
“I really don’t view myself as the first but as the next,” he continues. “The next model to break a barrier, the next model to have these uncomfortable conversations, the next model to be unapologetically myself. I am so grateful to be a part of a group of finalists who all represent completely different messages, yet have the same goal, to further inclusivity.”
Below, the 2021SI Swimsuit Issuehopeful opens up about why he wanted to enter the annual Swim Search contest and what it would mean to him to be one of the six finalists featured in the upcoming issue.
PEOPLE: What inspired you to enter?
Freese:When I first applied for Swim Search in 2019, I was dealing with a lot of confusion. I was confused about my identity, my gender, and really where I was going to go. It was hard for me to find a lot of people on mainstream media platforms discussing these issues. Being thatSports Illustrated Swimsuithas always led the conversation of inclusion and diversity, I thought why not bring this discussion to the brand? There have been thousands of transgender, queer, and nonbinary activists like Marsha P. Johnson and CeCe McDonald who have inspired me to continue the conversation they started. I think it’s ironic for me to be doing a swimsuit competition when swimsuits have been the downfall of my confidence in the past. Swimwear is one of the most binary forms of clothing and I believeSports Illustrated Swimsuithas redefined the true meaning of what a swimsuit embodies. So Swim Search was and is the best avenue for me to not only continue this conversation, but to take back the power that a swimsuit has had over me for so long.
What was the message behind the video you sent in?
How do you hope your finalist achievement in Swim Search will inspire others who may be struggling with their gender identity?
Freese:It is so exciting that I’m doing this at this stage of my life right now. I’m only 21 and I feel like I just started my road of coming out. Even since the beginning of my Swim Search journey last August, I’ve discovered that my gender fluidity is always present and some days I wake up feeling like I fall under multiple gender identifications. I describe myself to others as just Lewis because identifying with one set of pronouns or gender makes me feel so limited. From all of that, I want to be very public about how I’m feeling during the journey. I know things will fluctuate and I want those who too are struggling to know I am too. It’s such a confusing and lonely path to go down sometimes as it seems like all those around you have it figured out. One of my favorites things I’ve ever heard is that “people don’t like those within the queer and trans community because we actually have the audacity to be and present our most authentic version”. I love it because it’s so true. It takes guts to admit to yourself that you’re different and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to explore one’s self-identity. For anyone struggling, just know I see you, I hear you, and I will work every day to help bring more visibility to this community.
Why is it important to you to highlight gender fluidity and nonbinary culture in the modeling world?
How do you feel like the industry has evolved and how do you feel it can do better with inclusivity?
Freese:The industry is truly always changing. With that said, there is an enormous amount of brands that are not being held accountable for blatantly ignoring inclusivity and representation requests. At the end of the day, yes, a brand has the full capacity and right to make its own decisions but once an organization obtains a large enough platform, they have a civic duty to discuss these issues. I really hope that throughout my own work, I can highlight the smaller, more inclusive brands that are not getting the recognition they deserve. I would love to see more transgender, queer, and nonbinary representation as well. These identities are so much more common in our world than society wants to believe. Brands have a social responsibility to promote these types of gender and sexual identities to not only broaden the discussion but to provide safe spaces for these varying identities.
Where do you see your career in 5 years? 10 years? (SI SwimCOVER!?)
source: people.com
