Bar Refaeli Lands ‘SI’ Swimsuit Cover & ‘House Of Style’

The much-coveted title of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover girl for 2009 goes to none other than Bar Refaeli, the Israeli model best known for being Leo DiCaprio’s better half. The latest installment of the annual sex-charged issue is dubbed “Bikinis or Nothing” (the latter refers to body paint). In addition to showcasing a scantily clad Refaeli (pictured in a Missoni suit on the cover), the issue features fellow models Cintia Dicker and Andy Roddick fiancé Brooklyn Decker. Sports stars also appear -- race-car driver Danica Patrick, NBA dancers, and tennis players like Daniela Hantuchova and Maria Kirilenko included.

Opting for body paint over bathing suits is nothing new for Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition. But given the economic climate, it seems strangely comparable to fashion rags forgetting to sell clothes. Regardless, the Sports Illustrated cover isn’t the only reason 2009 is slated to be a big year for Refaeli. The 23-year-old has inked a deal to host a new version of MTV’s 90s classic House of Style. Not to mention her first feature film, Session (an English-language film by Israeli director Haim Bouzaglo) is slated for release later this year.