Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is facing severe backlash for putting Kim Kardashian on its cover – as critics blast the ‘feminist’ magazine for not showcasing someone ‘more deserving.’

The outlet announced it’s four cover stars for the upcoming 2022 issue on Monday – including Kardashian, 41, Elon Musk‘s 74-year-old mom Maye, singer Ciara, 36, and plus-size model Yumi Nu, also 36.

But some people have branded the company a ‘hypocrite’ for featuring the reality star on the front of the magazine, after it previously announced that it will only include ads from brands that show a commitment to supporting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Si Swim shared a sneak peek of Kardashian’s upcoming cover shoot to Instagram, and the post was quickly flooded with angry comments from readers who called the outlet ’embarrᴀssing,’ ‘disappointing,’ and ‘pathetic.’

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is facing severe backlash for putting Kim Kardashian on its cover – as critics blash the ‘feminist’ magazine for not showcasing someone ‘more deserving’

The outlet announced it’s four cover stars for the upcoming 2022 issue on Monday – including Kardashian, 41, and Elon Musk’s 74-year-old mom Maye (pictured)

Singer Ciara (left), 36, and plus-size model Yumi Nu (right), 36, round out the four cover stars to grace the front of the latest issue, which hits newsstands on May 19

Some people have branded the company a ‘hypocrite’ for featuring Kardashian, after previously announcing it will only include ads from brands that support women empowerment

‘But why?’ asked one commenter. ‘Plenty of other available people with sports connections that could use the exposure.’

Another added: ‘This is embarrᴀssing. After all you’ve been working towards to show regular day to day women who are incredible… This is what you do? Yikes.’

‘Super disappointing cover,’ said someone else. ‘You were doing so well, SI.’

‘This is not a good move for you guys,’ read a fourth comment. ‘I really enjoyed the separation of real people from people like her.’

‘First time I won’t buy the magazine,’ another person wrote. A different user agreed, ‘I won’t be buying one this year. Thanks to Kim for saving me $10.’

‘Kim K is the exact opposite of a naturally beautiful woman,’ added someone else. ‘She encourages disordered eating and pH๏τoshop because she hates herself. Boo.’

Another called it the ‘worst choice ever.’ They wrote, ‘Honestly, this is so bad. First SI Issue I won’t be buying in years.

‘Shame on you for rewarding a woman with zero talent whatsoever who used a Sєx tape to become what she is. Pathetic

celebrates women with real bodies and stories then puts Kim on the cover. Honestly don’t get it, but OK,’ said someone else.

‘Great message for young girls… Get as much plastic surgery as possible,’ read another comment.

‘LOL way to promote a woman who promotes starving herself to fit into a dress,’ wrote another disgruntled reader.

Earlier this month, Kardashian spoke to Vogue about taking extreme measures to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. President’ dress for the Met Gala – revealing she lost 16 pounds after not eating any carbs or sugar for three weeks.

‘It was such a challenge. It was like a [movie] role. I was determined to fit [into] it,’ she said.

‘I haven’t had carbs or sugar in about three weeks. We’re having pizza and donut party back at the H๏τel [after the Met Gala].’

PH๏τographed by Greg Swales, fresh-faced Kardashian posed in a ɴuᴅᴇ SKIMS ʙικιɴι with matching sheer gloves for the SI Swim cover.

Another pictured showed her posing with a motorcycle and starring seductively at the camera in a black SKIMS ʙικιɴι and Balenciaga jeans.

PH๏τographed by Greg Swales in Dominican Republic, fresh-faced Kardashian posed in a black SKIMS ʙικιɴι and Balenciaga jeans for the SI Swim shoot

Maye meanwhile posed for her shoot on a stunning beach in Belize. She opted for some slightly less risque swimwear – instead, modeling a series of colorful one pieces

Ciara, who was famously behind songs like One, Two Step, Level Up, and Body Part, donned a stunning leopard-print bathing suit for her shoot, which took place in Barbados

Nu, a Japanese and Dutch recording artist, showed off her curvy figure in a green ʙικιɴι as she posed in Montenegro for the upcoming SI Swim issue

A third featured the Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum looking sultry in a tiny swimsuit as she stood in the water clutching a motorcycle helmet.

In recent years, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has focused on spotlighting models with a wider range of body types than it had previously; it has included several plus-size models, as well as athletes and women over 50

The four women were pH๏τographed in separate locations, including Kardashian in the Dominican Republic, Ciara in Barbados, Musk in Belize, and Nu in Montenegro.

‘At course, Kim, no stranger to the world’s judgment, continues to live proudly, authentically and unapologetically through the noise,’ MJ Day, editor in chief of SI Swimsuit, said in a statement about the upcoming issue.

In recent years, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has focused on spotlighting models with a wider range of body types than it had previously; it has included several plus-size models, as well as athletes and women over 50.

In 2020, Valentina Sampaio became the first transgender model to pose for the magazine, and she returned again in 2021. That year, she was also joined by fellow trans model Lenya Bloom.

Last year was also year of firsts, and included the first Filipino model in the magazine, the first Asian-American model, and a 57-year-old woman who was the oldest Rookie ever at the time.

The publication debuted its Pay With Change initiative earlier this year, stating that companies will have to have ‘demonstrated programs to advance gender equality and drive progress for women’s empowerment’ to buy ads in both the print issue and online outlets.