Charleston resident, attorney-to-be, and influencer Victoria Vesce has been named one of just fourteen finalists for the cover of the 2022 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Vesce is also a brain tumor survivor, who lost half of her hearing.
In 2017, Victoria was diagnosed with multiple Paraganglioma, a brain-skull tumor, and a carotid body tumor. While pursuing her degree in law at Charleston School of Law and being a dancer for the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, she fought her illness, went through radiation treatments, and dealt with progressive worsening of her hearing. Vesce describes this experience as a “turning point” in her life, having survived both tumors.
Afterward, her journey led her to advocate for the National Brain Tumor Society and the Hard of Hearing. While finishing law school and accepting a job with Berman Law Group, Vesce's mother passed away suddenly, thus affecting her life once more.
In February 2022, Victoria submitted a video for the 2022 Sports Illustrated Swim Search Competition. She was one of the thousands of submissions in the first round and used the opportunity to discuss the pain she experienced after surviving her brain tumor and the struggles and obstacles she faces due to losing her mother. Vesce says both of these devastating scenarios has motivated her to be an inspiration to other people with similar experiences.
Vesce hopes that becoming part of the Sports Illustrated brand will give her the platform she needs to model, advocate for mental health, and inspire others to understand themselves and their grief through her example.
“Strong women wear their pain like stilettos, no matter how much it hurts, all you see is the beauty of it,” Vesce said.
