The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is staying local for its latest #SwimSearch photoshoot, setting up shop on the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
With the global pandemic still posing a health threat and restricting travel, SI Swim has stayed in the US, shooting models for its upcoming issue at the Hard Rock Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.
Now they’ve headed east for AC, bringing along their 14 2021 Swim Search finalists to pose up a storm on the Atlantic Ocean.
Home sweet home: The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is staying local for its latest #SwimSearch photoshoot, setting up shop on the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey
Posing! Model Taylor Sharpe said rocking her green bikini was ‘MORE THAN A DREAM’
Down to there: Natalie Gage — a London native who now lives in New York City resident — gave a sultry stare to the camera as she sat in a green one-piece with a very low-pulled zipper’
There to stay! On Monday, the magazine announced that ‘SI Swim Search has officially taken over’ the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Say cheese! Natalie Gage and Alex Aust smile as the sun comes out on the Jersey Shore
Showing it off Alex Aust (left) and Taylor Sharpe (right) smile and pop knees on the beach
Surprise! Cover star Jasmine Sanders even dropped by for a few snaps
In the past, SI Swim models have jetted off to such luxe locations as the Bahamas, Fiji, Mexico, and Turks & Caicos — but with closed borders, mandatory quarantines, and other safety concerns, traveling internationally seems to have been put on hold for the time being.
Instead, the magazine is making the most of what the US has to offer by way of beaches from the east coast to the west.
On Monday, the magazine’s Instagram account announced that ‘SI Swim Search has officially taken over’ the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
They’ve shared behind-the-scenes images from fittings with finalists like Alex Aust, a professional lacrosse player, and Summer Wilson, a 30-year-old making her debut.
Meanwhile, Christen Harper — the model girlfriend of Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff — tried on a teeny orange bikini alongside Kristen Louelle, a mommy blogger married to former NFL and MLB player Tyler Gaffney.
On the go! Jasmine stopped by in a sporty pink outfit to say hi
Ooh-la-la! Christen Harper lounges in a structured blue bikini by some rocks
Head-to-head: The women are all competing to be named this year’s Swim Search winner
Safe: With the global pandemic still posing a health threat and restricting travel, SI Swim has stayed in the US this year
Barely there: Curve model Gabriella Halikas shows off her best posing skills
Saje Nicole, who is based in Miami, shared her excitement over making it to the top 15 (left), while Chelsea Heath shows off angles (right)
The models have already hit the beach to pose in an array of swimsuits as they compete to be named 2021’s SI Swim Search winner. Last year, the winners included Tanaye White and 57-year-old Kathy Jacobs, who have posed as rookies in the upcoming issue.
Among those hitting the beach this week were Ally Courtnall, a UCLA alum and self-described mental and physical health advocate, who posed in a red, yellow, and blue bikini on the beach.
‘Did that really just happen?!?’ an excited Ally commented on Instagram.
Meanwhile, model Taylor Sharpe said rocking her green bikini was ‘MORE THAN A DREAM.
Natalie Gage — a London native who now lives in New York City resident — gave a sultry stare to the camera as she sat in a green one-piece with a very low-pulled zipper.’
Gettin’ ready: They’ve shared behind-the-scenes images from fittings with finalists like Alex Aust, a professional lacrosse player, and Summer Wilson, a 30-year-old making her debut
Meanwhile, Christen Harper — the model girlfriend of Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff — tried on a teeny orange bikini alongside Kristen Louelle, a mommy blogger
Dress-up! Some of the models excitedly showed off the Polaroids from their fittings
Test, test! A collection of Natalie Gage’s photos photos from her fitting
Having some fun: Alex shows off some her tats in a string blue one-piece suit
Chilly! Taylor Sharpe dons a skimpy two-piece while MJ Day smiles beside her in coats and a warm-looking jacket
Brr! The candid snaps also remind fans just how chilly it often is for these models as they pose in swimwear
Soaking up sun: Allie Ayers of Lamont, Oklahoma poses in a green bikini
Ally Courtnall, a UCLA alum and self-described mental and physical health advocate, posed in a red, yellow, and blue bikini on the beach.
Kristen Louelle also teamed up with curve model Gabriella Halikas for another sexy shot.
Behind-the-scenes photos show safety precautions were observed. While the models naturally went mask-free, crew — and editor MJ Day — donned face masks for the photoshoots.
The candid snaps also remind fans just how chilly it often is for these models as they pose in swimwear: In one shot, Taylor Sharpe dons a skimpy two-piece while MJ Day smiles beside her in coats and a warm-looking jacket. In another, Taylor keeps warm between shots with a towel wrapped around her.
As if a beach getaway and a Sports Illustrated photoshoot weren’t exciting enough, the finalist were also surprised by a visit from cover star Jasmine Sanders, who turned up in a sporty pink ensemble and posed for some pictures with a group.
The models also seem to be getting in a bit more than just taking photos on the beach.
Coast to coast: The Atlantic City photoshoot comes after another SI Swim shoot in Hollywood this year
Living it up! Photos and videos show them posing for snaps around the Hard Rock Casino
To themselves: It’s unclear if by ‘taken over’ the magazine means that they bought out the entire hotel and casino, but it certainly looks pretty empty
Primping: Kristen Louelle showed herself getting ready in the hotel bathroom
Tough competition: The models have already been winnowed down from 15 to 13
Woohoo! Most of the models have shared how thrilled they are to have made it this far
Busy bees! The models also seem to be getting in a bit more than just taking photos on the beach
Photos and videos show them posing for snaps inside the Hard Rock Casino, taking a baking class, dressing up to sip tequila cocktails at a casino bar, and working out.
Other SI Swim regulars have turned up for some of the fun as well, including Brooks Nader, Haley Kalil, and last year’s winner Kathy Jacobs.
The 14 finalists are already down from 15 after Lewis Freese, a 21-year-old from Minneapolis, was cut after video surfaced that showed him using a racist slur.
Lewis, who was the first male model to be a finalist, ‘did not uphold the company’s standards of ethics, principles all contestants are expected to abide by,’ according to a statement.
Still standing are 14 women including sports stars, curve models, WAGs, and mothers.
Canadian-born, Los Angeles-based Amanda Kay is one of several curve — formerly called plus-size — models to be named a finalist.
Yum! Four of them took a baking class with Bailey’s, a sponsor
Dranks! Several of them dressed up and posed for photos before enjoying cocktails
Cheers! The women toasted with tequila drinks at the bar, promoting another sponsor
Round the world: In the past, SI Swim models have jetted off to such luxe locations as the Bahamas, Fiji, Mexico, and Turks & Caicos
Workin’ on their fitness! Some of the models took part in a group workout class
Getting strong! They exercised in an empty gum in leggings and sports bras. Joining in was one of last year’s model search winners, Kathy Jacobs (right)
Impressive! At 56, Kathy Jacobs is the youngest rookie to ever appear in the magazine
Other curve models include Gabriella Halikas and Natalie Gage, who wrote on Instagram: ‘Here’s to continuing to break down barriers and celebrating how limitless we can be.’
Meanwhile, athletes in the finals include Alex Aust, who has played for the US National Team, and fitness instructor Katie Austin, 28.
Joining the WAGs-to-swimsuit model club are Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff’s girlfriend Christen Harper and Tyler Gaffney’s wife Kristen Louelle.
Model and actress Saje Nicole, who is based in Miami, shared her excitement over making it to the top 15 and said ‘wants to represent for all of the little Haitian girls, women, and men!’
Allie Ayers of Lamont, Oklahoma is one finalist who makes the case that persistence is key — since she first applied for the Swim Search back in 2018.
Actor and personal chef Chelsea Heath has a unique connection to another SI Swim mode: she once cooked as a sous chef for Molly Sims’ kid’s birthday party.
Other finalists are Bethany AuCoin, Taylor Sharpe, Summer Wilson, and Ally Courtnall.