Posted February 14, 2013

Swimsuit Launch Week Diary: Day 2

The SI Swimsuit takeover of Las Vegas continues. Go behind the scenes of a busy day with the models

It’s Day 2 of Swimsuit launch week and I’m not sure how I’m still standing. After arriving in Las Vegas at 2 a.m. on Tuesday night, I slept a grand total of three hours and then stumbled to a 7 a.m. meeting to discuss the day’s agenda. Luckily, the day’s agenda comprised of interviewing world-famous swimsuit models so there are worse lots in life. Over the next 10 hours, I interviewed 12 models covering such important topics as their favorite chick flick (anything with Ryan Gosling), celebrity crush (everyone loves Alec Baldwin. Who knew?) and song they’d most likely bust our during karaoke (Right Said Fred‘s I’m Too Sexy got a vote). Next. it was time for the night’s big event – SI’s first-ever “projection mapping video.” What is a projection mapping video you ask? It’s basically a 3D film shown over 40 floors of the outside wall of Casear’s Palace. It was pretty amazing to see Kate Upton, Alyssa Miller and others take up the entire outside wall of a hotel. From there, we headed to Marquee, a club in the Cosmopolitan Hotel, where the models put on their game face and walked the red carpet as photographers held onto their every move. Finally, it was time to let loose and celebrate. Some models stayed late and owned the dance floor. Others made a quick appearance and headed back to their hotel room to sleep. All in all, it was a long, grueling (yet fun) day promoting SI’s 2013 Swimsuit issue. Here are some of my favorite shots from Day 2 in Las Vegas.

CLICK HERE FOR DAY 1

Alyssa Miller and Nina Agdal (who now prefer to be called “Alina”) joke around before a video shoot.

Alyssa Miller and Nina Agdal :: Andy Gray/SI

Swimsuit rookies Kate Bock and Emily Didonato seem way to excited for 8 a.m.

Kate Bock and Emily Didanto :: Andy Gray/SI

Hannah, Adaora (and Brandon, one of our video producers) chat before a shoot.

Hannah Davis and Ariel Meredith :: Andy Gray/SI

Hannah Davis and Adaora :: Andy Gray/SI

After a long day shooting videos, the models headed to Nobu in Caesar’s Palace, where they posed for this group shot. A quick glance at their footwear makes me happy I’m not a girl.

Nina Agdal, Genevieve Morton, Jessica Gomes, Emily Didonato, Kate Bock and Cintia Dicker :: Andy Gray/SI

Emily Didonato and Kate Bock. They rule.

Emly Didonato and Kate Bock :: Andy Gray/SI

Hosts Chrissy Teigen and Matt Bean (my boss, follow him on Twitter) speak to Kate Upton during SI’s live broadcast of the projection mapping video.

Chrissy Teigan, Matt Bean and Kate Upton :: Andy Gray/SI

Chrissy and Matt speak to Ariel.

Chrissy Teigen, Matt Bean and Ariel Meredith :: Andy Gray/SI

This is what I mean by Kate Upton was projected on 40 floors of Casear’s Palace.

Kate Upton :: Andy Gray/SI

And here’s Alyssa Miller at Caesar’s. By the way, if you’re into fashion check out Alyssa’s blog here.

Alyssa Miller :: Andy Gray/SI

Celeb sighting! It’s Robin Leach granting you champagne wishes and caviar dreams.

Robin Leach :: Andy Gray/SI

After the projection mapping, the girls headed to Marquee, a club in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. But first, they had to walk the red carpet. In this photo, Katherine Webb poses with her first-ever SI Swimsuit photo.