Rusty Weiss
Social media superstar Alix Earle has officially landed one of the four covers for the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. It’s pretty easy to see why.
The unbridled confidence she’s exuding in a tiny bikini during a stunning safari photoshoot in Botswana’s Okavango Delta is … *chef’s kiss*.
Alix Earle Smolders in Tiny Safari Bikini During Botswana Shoot
Photographed by Ruven Afanador, the 25-year-old influencer posed in revealing looks, including a wood-carved bikini top with beaded details, surrounded by zebras, elephants, and lush grasslands.
She joins fellow cover stars Hilary Duff, Tiffany Haddish, and Nicole Williams English in a cross-generational lineup that is simply stunning.
Earle called the moment a “huge pinch me” experience, especially after keeping the secret for months.
“I feel such an honor, and it’s such a privilege to be a Sports Illustrated cover model,” she said in a video. “It was the best day of my life!”
And why wouldn’t she be feeling good about it? The TikTok-to-mogul star, who previously appeared as SI Swimsuit’s first digital cover model in 2024, continues to expand her empire with this major modeling milestone.
Alix Earle rose to fame in 2019 through her addictive “Get Ready With Me” videos on TikTok social media. She quickly built a massive following with her beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content while balancing college life at the University of Miami.
Her transition from digital creator to mainstream modeling sensation perfectly explains why she continues to dominate coverage in both entertainment and sports media.
Hilary Duff brings star power to her own cover, shot by Kat Irlin in South Caicos, while the issue also features shoots from Mexico and Montauk. SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day praised the four women for redefining expectations of the iconic magazine.
The 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue hits select newsstands May 14 and goes on national sale May 26. Fans can expect more of Earle’s safari magic inside.
Earle frequently appears in sports news outlets owing to her high-profile 2026 (and prior 2024) Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers, as well as her past romantic ties to NFL players, including Braxton Berrios, and other athletes.
Speculation about a romantic link between Earle and Tom Brady first ignited late last year after the pair were spotted together in St. Barts on New Year’s Eve and later dancing closely at a Super Bowl 2026 party.
