Jessi Day isn’t just in the running to be Maxim Magazine’s next Cover Girl, she’s currently one of the leading contestants.
As of Monday afternoon, Feb. 2, three days remained to round one in the U.S. publication’s Cover Girl 2026 competition, and the 31-year-old Salmon Arm woman was in first place in her cohort, with 25 cohorts of up to 100 people in each in the running.
“I’ve been in first place for the last couple days now and it just absolutely blew my mind. I couldn’t believe it!,” said Day, who is looking for votes to sustain the momentum and carry on to subsequent rounds.
Day said she’s never done anything like this before and is thrilled by the results so far.
“I’m taking a risk here – I really want to challenge beauty standards,” said Day. “I’m an average person. I have psoriasis. I have sleep apnea. I just want to make a positive impact and I’m running with it.”
A big driver for Day is the grand prize, which includes $5,000 going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Day said she’ll also donate a portion of the $100,000 grand-prize money she’d receive. The top prize also includes a trip to Italy for a Maxim Cover Girl photo shoot in Venice.
“It isn’t really much like me,” said Day of entering the contest, “but when I saw the Breast Cancer Research Foundation it really struck a chord with me.”
Day explained her family has a history with the disease prompting her to have a genetic test done.
“It came back that I have a likelihood of developing it,” said Day.
Day is also drawing inspiration from her late grandfather, Brian Burke, who she described as a well-known machinist in Salmon Arm, and Vernon where she was born and raised.
“When he passed away he left $10,000 towards a charity of his choice, that being the BC Children’s Hospital, so I wanted to kind of follow in his footsteps in that aspect, especially because it’s something that’s so important,” said Day. “He really did inspire me. He always thought I could make a positive impact and that really just kind of pushed me forward…”
Day is hopeful the community will continue to support her on this journey, so that she, in turn, can give back to charity.
“I will not be devastated if I do not win this,” said Day. “I am just running with it and I hope to make my dreams come true and help the community.”
To vote, and for more information, visit vip.covergirl.maxim.com.