The Inspiring Advice That 5 SI Swim Models Would Offer to Their Younger Selves

During their 2023 photoshoots, the models took a chance to reflect on their growth.

Kamie Crawford, Yumi Nu, Duckie Thot, Hailey Clauson and Padma Lakshmi.Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated, Amanda Pratt/Sports Illustrated, Derek Kettela/Sports Illustrated and James Macari/Sports Illustrated

The SI Swimsuit family is filled with some very impressive, multi-dimensional women who have achieved high levels of success in the modeling world and in their various other occupations and pursuits. With all that they have to offer, we love to take the chance to get a better understanding of their personal motivations and mantras—the keys that helped them get to where they are today.

With that in mind, we sat down with a handful of talent and asked them to share a piece of advice that they would offer to their younger selves, knowing what they know now. Their answers were, of course, thoughtful and worth sharing. Here are some of the empowering, inspiring—and playful—things that they shared.

Kamie Crawford

“Being a woman who feels strong and beautiful in her own skin is something that comes with time.

Yumi Nu

“When you’re 13, you think everything is the end of the world. I would say, everything’s going to work out. All of your problems are dumb—just kidding.”

Duckie Thot

“I know what I’m doing. No matter what happens along the way, it just keeps changing and evolving, but you’re on your journey so you’re O.K., baby duckling.”

Hailey Clauson

“You have more to offer. You can always learn more things. You can always become a better version of yourself. You’re gonna be O.K.”

Padma Lakshmi

“I wouldn’t go back to my twenties if you paid me all the money in the world. I love where I am in my life. No, my body’s not perfect by any means, but I don’t care. I feel beautiful.”

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!