Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Ushers in New Era of Athletic and Fashion Models for 2025, Live Casting Updates: Nicole Williams English, Brianna LaPaglia and More

Toni Breidinger has carved her place in motorsports history as the first Arab-American female driver in NASCAR’s national series in 2021. Her impressive racing career began at the age of nine, leading to 19 victories in the USAC series. Beyond the track, the 25-year-old has been making her mark in the fashion industry. Breidinger signed with IMG Models last September and has collaborated with brands like Victoria’s Secret, Gap and Free People.

Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles continues to shine both in and out of competition. After her Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games in 2020, the Oregon native helped lead the U.S. gymnastics team to gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Chiles is a champion at the Winter Cup and Pan American Games, but her influence extends beyond gymnastics. As an advocate for mental health and body positivity, she uses her platform to inspire confidence and self-acceptance, making her a role model for athletes and fans alike.  

Cameron Brink seamlessly transitions from dominating the basketball court to making a mark in the fashion world. After an impressive collegiate career at Stanford, the WNBA rookie with the Los Angeles Sparks has become known for her bold pre-game tunnel looks, redefining the intersection of sports and style. Brink recently starred in a Skims campaign, modeling Kim Kardashian’s signature neutral-toned lingerie alongside fellow basketball players. Her debut at Paris Fashion Week last month, where she sat on the front row at Balenciaga, further cemented her status as a rising force in the fashion scene.  

Freestyle skier Eileen Gu’s career is a testament to her versatility. A three-time Olympic medalist and the first Chinese athlete to win gold at the X Games, Gu has made waves both in sports and fashion. She made her runway debut for Louis Vuitton in the brand’s Cruise 2023 collection and has graced the covers of Vogue Hong Kong and Harper’s Bazaar Singapore. Her campaigns for Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Victoria’s Secret showcase her ability to seamlessly merge athletic prowess with high-fashion appeal.  

Sprinter Gabby Thomas has established herself as one of track and field’s brightest stars. After earning bronze in the 200m and silver in the 4x100m relay at the Tokyo Olympics, Thomas triumphed at the Paris 2024 Games with three gold medals in the 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Known for her grace and strength, Thomas also champions women’s empowerment, blending her athletic achievements with a commitment to inspiring the next generation. 

As the No. 1 female golfer in the world, Nelly Korda continues to raise the bar in her sport. Named the 2024 Rolex Player of the Year by the LPGA, she is one of only three players since the 1970s to win five consecutive events on the tour. Off the course, Korda has collaborated with Scandinavian brand J. Lindeberg, designing a Winter 2022 collection that reflects her personal style, blending functionality with elegance.  

Suni Lee burst onto the scene in 2020 as part of the United States of America’s gymnastics team for the Tokyo Olympics. Lee joined the team again in 2024 for the Paris Olympics, where she earned two bronze medals and one gold medal. In 2021, Lee was named Female Athlete of the Year by Sports Illustrated. She was announced as part of the lineup for the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition in November 2024.

Ali Truwit, a professional swimmer, made her Paralympics debut during the 2024 games in Paris. While competing in the games, Truwit won two silver medals in the 400m-frestyle and 100m-backstroke races. Along with her silver medal wins, Truwit set the record in both events. Truwit lost her leg in a shark attack while snorkeling in Turks and Caicos. One month following her amputation, Truwit was training in the water again for the 2024 Paralympics.

Caroline Marks made a splash as a professional surfer and Olympic champion and WSL World Title winner. At just 11 years old, Marks became the youngest surfer to ever be selected to the United States of America’s National Team in the competitive sport. In 2023, Marks won the World Surf League title and went on to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, earning a gold medal in the sport.  

Anna Hall, a 23-year-old track and field star, has made a name for herself as one of the world’s top heptathletes, earning bronze and silver medals at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships. After an ankle injury dashed her dreams of competing in the 2020 Olympics, she returned to the global competition four years later, finishing fifth at the 2024 Paris Olympics with an impressive 6,615 points. Hall went pro in 2022 with Adidas and has since teamed up with big brands like Coca-Cola, Xfinity and Nulo. On Nov. 14, Hall was announced as a model for the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, calling it a “pinch me moment” on social media.

Jasmine Sanders, widely recognized as “Golden Barbie,” burst onto the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit scene in 2019, earning the Rookie of the Year title. By 2020, she secured a coveted cover spot, photographed in Bali by Yu Tsai, alongside Kate Love and Olivia Culpo — a moment she described as “surreal.” Born in Germany and raised in South Carolina, Sanders has represented major brands like Victoria’s Secret and Savage X Fenty.

Ming Lee Simmons was announced as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s newest rookie on Jan. 29, 2025. Lee Simmons is the daughter of Russell Simmons and model Kimora Lee Simmons, the young model has a growing roster of fashion and lifestyle brands with whom she’s partnered and modeled for in various campaigns. Lee Simmons’ resume includes partnerships with Skims, Alexander Wang, Glossier and Good American.

Denise Bidot was announced as the latest model added to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s rookie roster on Jan. 30, 2025. The longtime model and advocate for body diversity and inclusion has worked on campaigns for Target, Olay, American Eagle Outfitters and more. In 2016, Bidot founded “The No Wrong Way Movement,” a cause that works to spread body acceptance and individual beauty. 

Christen Goff returns for her fourth year as a Sports Illustrated model for the magazine’s Swimsuit Issue. Christen was photographed in Jamaica at Round Hill Hotel & Villas for the 2025 issue.

Roshumba Williams, who debuted with the magazine in 1990, becoming the brand’s first African American model, returned to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit for the 2025 issue.

DJ Xandra Pohl made her rookie debut back in 2024. She cemented her standing with Sports Illustrated when she made a surprise appearance on the catwalk during the Swimsuit Runway Show at Miami Swim Week. A viral TikTok personality, Pohl graduated from the University of Miami in 2023.

Nicole Williams English is a model, entrepreneur and former star of the E! reality TV series “WAGS.” In 2017, Williams English founded her Nia Lynn by Nicole Williams brand, featuring swimwear and lifestyle products. The model made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2023 and was named Rookie of the Year. Williams English has posed for Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue three consecutive times.

Brianna LaPaglia broke onto the scene as a distinct voice on Barstool Sports. LaPaglia began as an intern with the podcast brand while attending Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio as a pre-med major on the swimming and diving team. LaPaglia went on to become a full-time employee with the media company, hosting such podcasts as “PlanBri Uncut” and “BFFs.” The model also boasts a strong following on TikTok and Instagram.