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Skinny and curvy best friends will be in Sports Illustrated

Perth, Australia-based models Kate Wasley, 22, and Georgia Gibbs, 21, went viral a few months ago when Gibbs posted an innocent photo that emphasized the friends’ different body shapes. Now the pair, who launched a body-positive blog in the wake of their viral fame, are moving on up with a feature in the 2018 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

Love you unconditionally @katewas_ ✨ #SunburnIsReal

A post shared by GEORGIA MAE (@georgiagibbs_) on Jan 21, 2017 at 6:53pm PST

In the famous snapshot, Wasley and Gibbs are laughing together while posing in front of a harbor at sunset. The overwhelming response to the photo became the catalyst for their blog Any Body, which works to erase beauty standards and eliminate body comparison. It’s because of this positive message that they send that SI editor MJ Day seemingly tapped them for the upcoming issue.

Twinning!!!!!! Introducing BFF rookies @georgiagibbs_ & @katewas_ #onehappyisland @yutsai88

A post shared by MJ Day (@mj_day) on Oct 18, 2017 at 6:58am PDT

Day emphasized her casting choice in a photo posted to Instagram. “While everyone is entitled to their opinion and preference of what they consider beautiful, I would like to state very plainly that there is NO PLACE for hate and shaming here,” she wrote. “Beauty is subjective, our readership is vast, and the women here will continue to represent that.”

Even as they continue to climb the modeling ranks, the pair plans to continue working to empower women with Any Body. “It’s for anyone that’s ever felt insecure because they’re ‘too thin,’ or ‘too fat,’ have rolls, scars, cellulite or stretch marks,” said Wasley. “It’s for anyone that’s ever been told they would be beautiful if they only lost weight.”

They also stress that body diversity goes both ways and to “quit the comparisons.”

The Swimsuit Issue hits newsstands in early 2018.

Quit the comparisons ❤️ #JustBeYou #LoveAnyBODY

A post shared by Any BODY (@any.body_co) on Oct 20, 2017 at 7:23am PDT

“We are beyond excited to be apart of the SI family,” said Wasley. “To be a part of something so iconic that is so inclusive of race, size, and shape is truly a dream come true!”

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