Latest news with #LaurenChan
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blessed ‘SI' Swim star risks too-small bikini top in slow-mo pool exit
Penny Lane is hands-down one of the most well-endowed Sports Illustrated swimsuit models, and she wasn't afraid to show it in a recent social media share. In a stunning, slow-motion video posted to TikTok Monday, July 15, she brushes back her wet hair while still underwater before exiting the pool in a barely-there triangle bikini top that could have been a little bit bigger. She is also draped in beautiful rows of necklaces, her makeup somehow flawless even after being underwater. The British model, 30, didn't even caption the sexy share. 'Most beautiful woman in the world,' wrote a fan in the comments. Lane is one of the most decorated models on the Sports Illustrated circuit. In 2023, she won the iconic magazine's Swim Search competition, and the next year was crowned the coveted Rookie of the Year title. This year marked her second consecutive appearance in the print edition. On May 31, Lane joined the other models from the 2025 SI swimsuit issue for a VIP-only, sold-out runway show to close out Miami Swim Week at the ultra-chic W South Beach hotel. Also hitting the catwalk were cover stars Livvy Dunne, Lauren Chan and Jordan Chiles; plus models such as Ellie Thumann, Katie Austin, Nicole Williams English, Ilona Maher, Camille Kostek and Denise Bidot. Read More! Livvy Dunne flaunts shapely legs, tiny waist in cheeky bikini rearview Bronzed 'SI' Swim model flaunts toned physique in string bikini 'SI' Swim model flaunts flawless bikini body in stunning 2-piece gown
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blessed ‘SI' Swim star risks too-small bikini top in slow-mo pool exit
Penny Lane is hands-down one of the most well-endowed Sports Illustrated swimsuit models, and she wasn't afraid to show it in a recent social media share. In a stunning, slow-motion video posted to TikTok Monday, July 15, she brushes back her wet hair while still underwater before exiting the pool in a barely-there triangle bikini top that could have been a little bit bigger. She is also draped in beautiful rows of necklaces, her makeup somehow flawless even after being underwater. The British model, 30, didn't even caption the sexy share. 'Most beautiful woman in the world,' wrote a fan in the comments. Lane is one of the most decorated models on the Sports Illustrated circuit. In 2023, she won the iconic magazine's Swim Search competition, and the next year was crowned the coveted Rookie of the Year title. This year marked her second consecutive appearance in the print edition. On May 31, Lane joined the other models from the 2025 SI swimsuit issue for a VIP-only, sold-out runway show to close out Miami Swim Week at the ultra-chic W South Beach hotel. Also hitting the catwalk were cover stars Livvy Dunne, Lauren Chan and Jordan Chiles; plus models such as Ellie Thumann, Katie Austin, Nicole Williams English, Ilona Maher, Camille Kostek and Denise Bidot. Read More! Livvy Dunne flaunts shapely legs, tiny waist in cheeky bikini rearview Bronzed 'SI' Swim model flaunts toned physique in string bikini 'SI' Swim model flaunts flawless bikini body in stunning 2-piece gown
South China Morning Post
30-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Volunteers visit Hong Kong prisoners, showing there are no bars to empathy
In the dim, sterile confines of a prison visiting room, 17-year-old Lauren Chan hands Clara* a sketchbook, their fingers brushing through the divider. Their unlikely friendship, forged through art, stands in contrast to the harsh realities of their surroundings, challenging the stereotypes of prisoners in Hong Kong. 'I'm always super happy after I go visit [Clara]. She's the nicest person ever,' Lauren said. Lauren met Clara, who is in her twenties, while interning with a Hong Kong-based NGO called Voice for Prisoners. Lauren attends school in the United States, but she sees Clara about once a week when she visits Hong Kong during school breaks. Challenging prejudices Lauren describes herself as a 'sheltered kid', noting that she was unaware of life beyond her 'bubble' at school and home. It was only when she began taking law classes that she started to learn about incarcerated individuals. Her research led her to Voice for Prisoners, an organisation that assists people imprisoned for drug trafficking – a crime that can result in life in prison and a fine of up to HK$5 million. The NGO helps inmates cope with challenges in prison by supporting them through educational programmes and visitations. Many of those receiving assistance from Voice for Prisoners are foreign nationals. Jane Chow, who has worked at Voice for Prisoners for about three years, explained that 'vulnerable' individuals are often manipulated into drug trafficking. 'Oftentimes, they're tricked ... [by] a good job. 'I'm going to fly you to Hong Kong, all expenses paid. You're going to bring this for me. It's very easy,'' she said. Deep Dive: Hong Kong's fight against 'space oil' After reaching out to the NGO, Lauren was assigned to visit Clara, who, along with her partner, has been in prison since last year. Clara and her partner faced devastation due to a war in their home country, which left them struggling to support their child. In a moment of desperation, they turned to drug trafficking and were arrested in Hong Kong. The couple has pleaded guilty and is now awaiting sentencing. Lauren challenged the stigma around prisoners. 'People become incarcerated not necessarily out of them making a decision of their own free will ... They often lack other means of income, which leads them into these narcotic smuggling crimes,' she said. When Lauren attempted to invite formerly incarcerated people to her school in the US for a speaking event, the administrators expressed concerns. 'I realised that there's a much bigger issue with actually how the prisoners get treated ... rather than the nature of the prisoners,' Lauren said. Compassion over judgment Anna Smirnova, a 21-year-old who recently graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a degree in psychology, also joined Voice for Prisoners. Originally from Russia, Smirnova was also assigned to visit Clara, as she was able to communicate with her in their shared language. She also visited Clara's partner at a different prison and interacted with another prisoner. Though Smirnova recognised that any involvement with drugs was 'a very serious offence', she was surprised by how easy it was to connect with the prisoners. 'But we actually became good friends, and we have a lot to talk about,' she said. Smirnova observed that while the prison provides adequate supplies and a clean environment, as a foreign prisoner, Clara is allowed only one phone call home per month, while local prisoners have more frequent access to phone calls. All prisoners are allowed two visits per month, as well as two visits from family, but Clara, like many foreign inmates, has no relatives in Hong Kong. 'I definitely hear a lot of complaints about how depressed they are,' Smirnova said. Inspired by this experience, Smirnova focused her thesis on assessing depression and anxiety among former prisoners in Hong Kong. 'We contacted the ex-prisoners who have been released already, and we asked about some unmet needs they had in prison and also how it affected their mood, both in the past and in the present,' she said. Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre is where many foreign inmates are detained. Photo: Handout Learning opportunities for prisoners Despite their circumstances, Clara and her partner discuss self-growth and are exploring the possibility of earning bachelor's degrees while in prison. Chow explained that prisoners need a passion for learning and a sponsor to support their educational endeavours. The Correctional Services Department of the Hong Kong government has an Educational Trust Fund that sponsors the majority of inmates enrolled in educational courses and vocational training. Chow emphasised that even after their release, Clara and her partner will face additional challenges. 'They will be deported to their home country by the Hong Kong government. Finding employment can be challenging for some due to their criminal records,' she said. This shows the importance of Voice for Prisoners' education campaign: it gives former inmates skills to help them find work so that they do not turn back to crime. Chow added: 'Education is one of the most effective ways to rehabilitate inmates and reduce recidivism.' Hong Kong gets first full-time college for adult prisoners Voice for Prisoners collaborates with four educational institutions in Hong Kong to provide short vocational courses for prisoners. However, student inmates still face challenges, such as a lack of access to the internet and computers, as well as limited in-person teaching opportunities. Additionally, inmates are required to pay the same tuition fees as non-incarcerated students, who have access to more resources. 'Despite these obstacles, inmates strictly adhere to institutional rules and put in tremendous effort to earn their degrees,' Chow added. 'This initiative has fostered a stronger educational culture within prisons and significantly increased inmates' enthusiasm for learning, giving them hope for a brighter future.' *Name changed at the request of Voice for Prisoners. Stop and think : In what ways can empathy break down the stereotypes we hold about people? Why this story matters: The transformative power of empathy and human connection is essential in challenging societal stereotypes regarding incarcerated individuals, emphasising that many are victims of circumstance rather than choice.
Perth Now
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
'It is incredibly freeing': Lauren Chan is a lot more comfortable after coming out as a lesbian
Lauren Chan is "much more comfortable" since coming out. The 34-year-old model came out as a lesbian in a 2023 article for Sports Illustrated and admits that no longer being in the "male gaze" has lifted a weight from her shoulders. Lauren told People magazine: "I'm so much more comfortable in myself. In coming out, I've ditched the male gaze, and it is incredibly freeing because I used to perceive myself in the way that the patriarchy wants us to consider women. If I had a part of my body that made me insecure based on the beauty ideal, it would ruin my entire sense of self. "Since being in the female gaze, I've realised that that doesn't exist. I fully believe that the way I show up to represent women does not always have to be flattering. Some of my favourite work is about making the body look relaxed or bigger. It's healing in a lot of ways. Bigger bodies are artful too." Lauren - who founded the plus-size clothing brand Henning - appeared in the famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue earlier this year and is delighted that the publication gave her the opportunity to silence cruel trolls. She said: "Women are everything to me, literally. "This year, for Sports Illustrated, I got to write an essay for the print edition called 'For The Girls'. The essay is about the fact that I am not asking for permission to take up space. I'm taking it. "The essay and cover both came about after a man trolled me on my Instagram when Sports Illustrated Swimsuit announced my return to the issue with a picture. "The person said, 'Who are we even doing this for? Women? This doesn't make any sense.' I'm so glad that happened. I love my trolls because they give me an opportunity to educate, so bring it on." Lauren is set to marry her partner, film director Hayley Kosan, later this year and revealed that she entered her "bridal era" after her Sports Illustrated cover appearance gave her wedding "vibes". She said: "Engaged life is great. My (swimsuit photoshoot) looks are giving bridal (vibes). There was tulle, there was beading, there were pearls. "I'm very much in my bridal era, and I'm really excited about that. It's been really comforting and celebratory. I'm not at all ashamed of choosing a new path for myself. I feel really calm and comforted."
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lauren Chan sends a powerful message with her tank top... after posing in a bikini for Sports Illustrated
Lauren Chan made history as the first openly lesbian woman to make the cover of the infamous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. She once again commanded attention in dove grey shorts with a matching loose, long sleeved coverup. What grabbed people's attention on the red carpet of the opening of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Social Club was what her white tank top said. 'Only Respecting Women You're Attracted To Isn't Respecting Women,' the t-shirt said. The Canadian model, 34, may have been referring to the trolls who are slamming SI for putting her on the cover of this year's Swimsuit Issue. The fact is, while many celebrated Lauren's SI cover as a victory for diversity and inclusivity there was still a small but vocal outcry over her sexually orientation and swimsuit size. But someone should tell the trolls that they can whine all they want, Lauren, 34, is more than a swimsuit model. She created an inclusive clothing line called Henning and sold it for a profit. Lauren is also a former fashion journalist who rose through the ranks to become fashion features editor at Glamour. Lauren is one of four women gracing the cover of this year's issue, joining Salma Hayek, gymnast Jordan Chiles, and college athlete Olivia Dunne. 'I'm the first out lesbian on the cover — with her own cover — and how much that means to me makes that surprise feel so overwhelming,' Chan told People of learning about the cover. 'That's where I feel like the tears of joy and celebration and relief and community come from.' Many fans rushed to congratulate her, while others questioned why her sexuality was being discussed at all, posting comments like, 'How is her sex life anybody's business?' and 'It's 2025. Nobody cares'. Chan took to social media after someone left a dismissive comment on a photo from her return to the magazine, which shows her posing on a Bermudan beach in an off-white lace two-piece. The Canadian model, 34, may have been referring to the trolls who are slamming SI for putting her on the cover of this year's Swimsuit Issue She posted a screenshot of the remark, left by an Instagram user named Caiser Hogan, who wrote, 'Who are they even doing this for anymore? Women?? This makes zero sense.' Chan didn't hold back. In the post, she responded, 'This is exactly why I show up in this space with my full chest.' She added that the magazine is meant for women—for representation and inspiration—not as 'an objectifying catalogue of fantasy for patriarchal pawns.' In a second slide, she cheekily added, 'wait 'til he finds out I'm a lesbian.' In the caption, Chan explained the comment 'struck a chord with me' and said she deliberately left it up for everyone to see. 'The inclusion of myself and other folks that represent minorities in SI Swimsuit signifies an evolution in how women are allowed to exist in this society and which women deserve respect,' she wrote. 'This man is insinuating that because I am a size 14, Asian and Middle Eastern, a lesbian, etc., that I am unattractive to him individually and that therefore no man, based on the patriarchal beauty standard, could deem me worthy of being in this publication.' Chan went on to explain that the magazine is helping to redefine beauty 'through the female gaze,' and that every woman should feel seen in its pages. 'It is not an outdated, objectifying catalogue of fantasy for patriarchal pawns. 'If that makes men feel irrelevant and angry enough to throw a tantrum in my comments ... I see no issue publicly and permanently addressing them,' she said. She signed off by throwing her full support behind the magazine's mission, writing that she believes in it 'with [her] whole heart,' and declaring: 'SI Swimsuit 2025 is for the girls.'
