Fans of Tiffany Haddish have watched the California-born comedian push toward seemingly unreachable goals throughout her ascent in entertainment.
Audiences have heard tales of the struggles she faced while growing up, of a teacher who changed her life as a teenager by teaching her to read, and of how, despite those hardships, she has risen to become one of Hollywood’s brightest stars.
Today Haddish is finally living out the dream her grandmother seeded in her long ago—and she’s doing so with the entire world watching.
On May 12, the actress and comic officially stepped onto the cover as part of the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
She etched her name in history as the first comedian ever to grace SI’s coveted cover, joining the ranks of stars like Tyra Banks and Gayle King who came before her.
The shoot, which showcased Haddish in a collection of high-fashion ensembles, left fans in awe of her transformation and some in agreement that the moment felt like a full-circle turning point.
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The cover shoot, captured by James Macari in Loreto, Mexico, presents the “Girls Trip” star in a string of striking looks, including a Dolce & Gabbana swimsuit.
Yet for Haddish, the milestone quickly transcended fashion or fame.
During an appearance on the “Today” show with Craig Melvin and Savannah Guthrie, the 46-year-old became visibly moved upon seeing the cover for the first time on live television.
@todayshow Tiffany Haddish opens up on TODAY about achieving a dream of being a model and wishing her grandma, who was also a model, was around to see her on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. ❤️ Sports Illustrated Swimsuit tapped Haddish alongside Alix Earle, Hilary Duff and Nicole Williams English as cover models for its 2026 issue.
♬ original sound – TODAY Show
“It was amazing to actually be in those moments,” Haddish recalled, her voice catching. “Wishing my grandma were alive,” she added, “I’m looking at it right now and thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s me.’”
Her grandmother’s name, according to People, was Alice Ray.
Ray, who modeled swimsuits and clothing in the 1950s, raised Haddish and her siblings after the actress entered foster care as a teen as a result of her mother’s struggles with mental health.
“My grandma was a swimsuit model and a clothing model,” Haddish explained. “She was among the first Black women to appear on television modeling clothing, and she used to show us how to pose.”
Haddish admitted that her grandmother once gently warned that modeling might not come to pass because she “didn’t grow tall enough.”
“He tried to steer her toward comedy instead.” But she never stopped dreaming.
“I just kept dreaming of it, kept hoping, wishing—and now I’m doing it,” she said.
The emotional interview soon veered into talk of Haddish’s dating life and the men she’s currently “manifesting.”
The actress, who famously married herself on a trip to Africa, joked that the “marriage” is going well because she and herself “get along really well.” The topic grew a little awkward when the hosts asked about the attention she’s likely receiving as a new cover star.
“Is there anyone you’re manifesting?” Guthrie asked.
“Oh yes,” Haddish replied with a grin. “I’m manifesting several guys.”
The remark caused the male host to look increasingly uneasy as Haddish teased that the mystery men were famous names she had previously discussed privately with them before the show.
“I don’t want to drop any names because I don’t want to scare the boys,” she quipped. “I know how they get when they hear their name.”
Melvin shifted in his seat while Al Roker found himself the butt of the joke, turning the moment into something that viewers described as a live comedy sketch.
“This was both entertaining and absolutely hilarious! Way to squirm, guys,” wrote one YouTube commenter.
Not everyone welcomed the moment with praise.
“Don’t look like her,” one person commented on Instagram. “I didn’t recognize her at first glance. I had to read who it was,” another user replied.
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Danielle Brooks
I am a staff writer at New York Beacon, where I focus on culture, entrepreneurship, and the emerging voices redefining Black America. My work highlights innovators, artists, and founders whose stories often unfold beyond mainstream headlines but shape communities in meaningful ways. Through precise reporting and thoughtful storytelling, I aim to document progress, challenge narratives, and contribute to a stronger Black press tradition.