Hannah Davis defends her Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover

NEW YORK, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Hannah Davis doesn't think her 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover is too risqué.

The 24-year-old model defended her appearance on the annual edition in an interview Monday on Today. The NBC morning program chose to censor the cover with a ribbon graphic, and Davis told host Matt Lauer concern over the image is overblown.

"I think you're making it look a lot naughtier than it really is, to be honest," she said. "I think SI always tries to do something a little different every year, and I think this year, it's the year of the torso."

Davis made her case amid criticism the photo is "pornographic." National Center on Sexual Exploitation Executive Director Dawn Hawkins issued a statement the same day asking retailers to cover up the magazine in stores.

"Sports Illustrated's 2015 Swimsuit Issue's cover does not simply feature a beautiful woman in a bikini; it borders on obscenity, as the focus is specifically on the exposed pubic area," she said. "This cover's pornographic pose normalizes genital display."

Davis previously appeared in the 2013 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and is known for her modeling work with Ralph Lauren. She was revealed as the 2015 cover girl last week, and plus-size model Robyn Lawley and tennis star Caroline Wozniacki are also featured in the issue.