The McGrady Women on Summer Cocktails, Podcasts, & Changing the Conversation

By Kristen Maxwell Cooper

I first worked with Hunter McGrady almost four years ago when I was editor in chief of The Knot, and asked her to be on the cover of the annual Fashion Issue. She was already a part of The Knot’s influencer program and the two of us had spent a lot of time talking about size inclusivity, specifically in the wedding world. The Knot’s cover featuring Hunter and, more importantly, her voice and passion on the topic, jump started the conversation around size-inclusivity in bridal in a real and powerful way. Fast forward to 2022. When thinking about powerful, influential, and incredible women to include in Summersalt’s Every Body is a Summersalt Body campaign, I immediately thought about Hunter and her sister Michaela. They had taken powerful conversations they were organically having on Instagram Live at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to an even bigger stage with their podcast Model Citizen. “We had so many people messaging us after our Lives telling us we should start a podcast,” says Michaela. “They were saying ‘we love the sister vibes and we love how you guys are so open about talking about anything and everything.’” Hunter likens it to being a big sister. “We know a lot of people don’t have that, and so we’re always saying ‘you guys are our sisters now whether you like it or not,’” says Hunter.

And while Hunter and Michaela may be the co-hosts, their mom Brynja, who Summersalt was also lucky enough to snag for the campaign, steals the show. “She’s like a fan favorite,” says Hunter. Michaela jokes, “everyone’s like ‘when is your mom coming back’ and we’re like chopped liver.”

Watch their hilarious and empowering interview below.