A few years ago, Alix Earle was best known for filming “Get Ready With Me” videos from her phone.
On May 12, 2026, she landed on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
That jump sounds dramatic, but it actually happened in stages.
Earle first joined SI Swimsuit as its inaugural digital cover model in 2024, returned for her first appearance in the physical magazine in 2025, and finally earned her first print cover in 2026 after travelling to Botswana with photographer Ruven Afanador.
For me, that timeline is more interesting than the cover itself.
It shows exactly how a creator built on TikTok can now move through the same fashion institutions that once belonged almost entirely to traditional models and Hollywood celebrities.
Alix Earle Is One of Four SI Swimsuit Cover Stars for 2026
Sports Illustrated officially revealed four cover models for its 2026 Swimsuit Issue:
- Alix Earle
- Hilary Duff
- Tiffany Haddish
- Nicole Williams English
The issue was released on May 12, 2026, and features 34 women photographed across five locations.
Earle’s cover was photographed in Botswana, while Duff shot in South Caicos, Haddish in Loreto, Mexico, and Williams English in Montauk, New York.
That lineup is interesting in itself.
It combines a former Disney star and recording artist, a comedian and actor, an established model-entrepreneur and a creator whose fame was built primarily through social media.
The Botswana Shoot Looks Very Different From a Typical Beach Cover
Alix Earle’s 2026 shoot was photographed by Ruven Afanador in Botswana.
Instead of building the entire feature around the usual sand-and-ocean setting, SI used Botswana’s natural landscape as part of the visual identity.
The region provided wetlands, vegetation and wildlife-rich scenery, giving the shoot more of a safari-fashion feel than a conventional swimsuit editorial.
Earle appeared alongside Achieng Agutu, Camille Kostek, Penny Lane and Meredith Mickelson during the Botswana production.
One Correction About the Viral “Wooden Bikini”
Some online articles describe Earle’s main look as a “wooden bikini.”
That is not the best description of her actual cover outfit.
Sports Illustrated identifies the bikini used for Earle’s cover as the Dangerous Mika Bikini by Andi Bagus, a velour two-piece combining elements from two of the brand’s existing designs.
That kind of detail matters because fashion stories get copied very quickly, and one incorrect description can easily spread across dozens of articles.
The Fashion Inspiration Came From a 1968 Image
Here is one detail that makes the Botswana feature more interesting than a normal celebrity photoshoot.
SI Swimsuit fashion editor Margot Zamet said the styling drew inspiration from fashion archives, particularly photographer Franco Rubartelli’s 1968 portrait of Veruschka wearing Yves Saint Laurent.
That influence explains the mix of:
- earthy colours
- textured swimwear
- body jewellery
- safari-inspired styling
- natural materials
- fashion-editorial poses rather than simple beach photography
Earle’s Botswana wardrobe included pieces from brands such as Andi Bagus, Lybethras, Norma Kamali, ÁGUA DE COCO, Hanne Bloch and Audrey Blake Atelier, with jewellery from brands including Jacquie Aiche and The Invisibles.
A Few Standout Looks
| Look | Brand |
|---|---|
| Cover bikini | Andi Bagus |
| Cocoa beaded bikini | Lybethras |
| Swimsuit with body jewellery | Norma Kamali / Jacquie Aiche |
| Safari-style swim look | ÁGUA DE COCO |
| Statement bikini top | Audrey Blake Atelier |
Alix Earle’s SI Swimsuit Career Makes More Sense as a 3-Year Story
Most articles mention all three shoots but do not really explain why the progression matters.
2024 – Sports Illustrated Bet on Her Digital Influence
In June 2024, Alix Earle became SI Swimsuit’s first-ever digital cover star.
She was photographed by Yu Tsai in Miami, and the project was part of Sports Illustrated’s attempt to expand beyond one annual physical issue into digital covers tied to cultural moments.
That was the experimental stage.
Sports Illustrated was testing whether a creator-led digital cover could carry the same cultural weight as a traditional magazine moment.
2025 – She Entered the Physical Magazine
A year later, Earle returned for the 2025 print issue, photographed by Yu Tsai in Jamaica.
That was her first appearance inside the annual physical magazine rather than only on a digital cover.
The 2025 shoot included swimwear from Lybethras, DEPAREL, Indah and Anna Kosturova, among others.
2026 – She Gets the Print Cover
Then came Botswana.
Sports Illustrated describes the 2026 shoot as Earle’s third appearance with the brand and her first physical print cover.
That progression is important:
Digital cover -> print feature -> print cover
It is almost a case study in how internet fame is now being translated into traditional fashion credibility.
Why the Cover Matters Beyond Alix Earle
This is where the story gets more interesting.
A decade ago, social media influencers were often treated as outsiders by legacy fashion publications.
Now the boundaries are much weaker.
Earle did not become famous because a fashion editor discovered her.
She built an audience first.
Her casual videos, beauty routines, dating stories, travel content and “GRWM” format created the audience before traditional media stepped in.
Sports Illustrated is effectively meeting that audience where it already exists.
And that relationship works both ways.
SI gives Earle fashion-industry credibility.
Earle gives SI access to millions of younger viewers who may rarely buy magazines but will watch behind-the-scenes clips, TikToks, YouTube videos and Instagram posts from the shoot.
That is the real Alix Earle effect here.
The Cover Also Comes After a Much Bigger 2025 for Earle
The SI cover did not arrive in isolation.
Sports Illustrated notes that Earle spent 2025 expanding beyond influencer content.
She relaunched Hot Mess as a YouTube-based vlog format, appeared in Happy Gilmore 2, competed on Dancing With the Stars Season 34 and finished as runner-up, while continuing to build business ventures.
By 2026, SI was no longer dealing with someone who could be described only as “a TikTok influencer.”
That distinction probably matters when understanding why the print cover came now rather than in 2024.
What Earle Wore to the 2026 SI Launch Party
After the issue dropped, SI Swimsuit held its launch celebration at the Hard Rock Hotel New York on May 14.
Earle attended alongside fellow cover stars Tiffany Haddish and Nicole Williams English.
Rather than the white outfit sometimes mentioned in secondary reports, her official red-carpet look was a gold crochet mini dress with fringe, paired with matching strappy sandals and gold bracelets.
The event also brought together many of the women featured in the issue, with Fetty Wap appearing at the VIP party.
Quick Fact Check
Was 2026 Alix Earle’s first Sports Illustrated appearance?
No.
She first appeared with SI Swimsuit in 2024 as its inaugural digital cover model.
Is 2026 her first physical SI Swimsuit cover?
Yes.
Her 2025 shoot appeared inside the print issue, while 2026 is her first print cover.
Where was the 2026 cover photographed?
Botswana, by photographer Ruven Afanador.
Was her cover bikini made from wood?
No.
Sports Illustrated identifies it as an Andi Bagus velour bikini.
Who were the other 2026 cover models?
Hilary Duff, Tiffany Haddish and Nicole Williams English.
ReadThis.in Take
The easiest headline is “TikTok Star Alix Earle Lands SI Cover.”
But that misses what actually happened.
Sports Illustrated and Alix Earle have spent three years testing how digital fame can move into traditional publishing.
First she represented SI’s move into digital covers.
Then she entered the physical magazine.
Now she is on the cover.
That progression makes the 2026 issue feel less like a one-off influencer booking and more like confirmation that creator fame and traditional celebrity are no longer separate career tracks.
For Earle, the cover gives her another fashion credential.
For Sports Illustrated, she brings the audience behaviour modern media companies need – people who do not simply look at a finished image, but also want the vlog, the GRWM, the behind-the-scenes story and the social posts around it.
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That is probably why this cover matters more than another beautiful Botswana photograph.
FAQs
When did Alix Earle get her Sports Illustrated cover?
Her first physical Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover was released on May 12, 2026.
Where was Alix Earle’s 2026 SI Swimsuit shoot?
The shoot took place in Botswana with photographer Ruven Afanador.
Who are the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover models?
The four cover stars are Alix Earle, Hilary Duff, Tiffany Haddish and Nicole Williams English.
Was Alix Earle on Sports Illustrated before 2026?
Yes. She became the first SI Swimsuit digital cover star in 2024 and returned for the 2025 print issue.
Who photographed Alix Earle in Botswana?
Ruven Afanador photographed her 2026 SI Swimsuit feature and cover.
What did Alix Earle wear on the 2026 SI cover?
Her cover swimsuit was an Andi Bagus Dangerous Mika Bikini.