Sixtine Royer, a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie for 2023, is not just a model but an advocate for change within the industry. Royer, who recently joined fellow models Jena Sims, Denise Austin, and Katie Austin for a workout session, uses her platform to speak out on important issues like body neutrality and inclusion. “The battle for inclusion and diversity remains,” she told Wonderland Magazine, highlighting the need to challenge industry standards. For Royer, it’s about more than just looks—she advocates for appreciating the body for what it does, not how it appears. With a focus on changing the conversation around beauty and self-worth, Royer is leading the way to a more inclusive and accepting future.
Royer wants to change how the modeling industry views people. She talked about this to Wonderland Magazine. “Nothing is perfect as it is and there is always something that can change in a positive way. For the modeling industry, the battle for inclusion and diversity remains. Ads are still mostly dominated by thin white models, models of color are still paid less, and many agencies still push their models to extremes to keep their ultra-thin figures. And none of that changes if we all remain complacent.”
Royer is an advocate for people having body neutrality. She shared why to Wonderland Magazine. “I honestly prefer the term body neutrality. This is acceptance of your body, without the need to love it. Body neutrality focuses on accepting your body for what it is: a body. I can appreciate my body for what it allows me to do- dance with my friends, laugh until my stomach hurts, climb the millions of steps it takes to get to my New York apartment- without needing to love my so-called flaws. My body is not made for aesthetic purposes and my own purpose and worth doesn’t need to revolve around it. My body allows me to live my life how I want to, it is simply the meat sack I’ve been given and that is what body neutrality means.”
Royer talked about how proud she was of her success in an interview with Latest Magazine. “This whole experience has been a dream honestly and I’ve just tried my best to slow down and appreciate it as best as I can. Becoming a sports illustrated rookie was something I always thought was just a ‘oh maybe one day that would be cool’ goal so to have it happen so unexpectedly was crazy. So, the last couple months have really been a ‘stop and smell the roses’ period for me so I can remind myself just how far I’ve come.”
Royer shared some of her tips for improving self-image to Latest Magazine. She says that she makes sure to surround herself with things that won’t make her insecure. “Be specific about what you surround yourself with and what kind of images you’re always seeing. If you’re only following thin ‘Instagram models’ who most likely filter and photoshop their images, it’s likely you’re going to go down a comparison rabbit hole. unfollow people who make you feel bad about yourself, or spend less time on social media all together. Same goes with the people who are around you in your everyday life. If all of your girl friends are consistently talking about dieting and food and what they look like, it’s easy to feel like those are things you should also be obsessing over. Maybe its time to have a conversation with them or find new friends. it’s not easy but it’s worth the effort.”
Royer tells Latest Magazine that she makes sure to give herself grace. “No one is perfect, absolutely no one. and not every day is a good one. Everyone has bad days and insecurities, no matter what you think. allow yourself to feel the bad feelings, and then let them pass. Your value as a human being is not defined by your body or your size or your shape or your weight. Don’t forget that.”