Swimsuit

10 Incredible Photos of Co-Rookie of the Year Christen Harper in Barbados

The model was discovered during the brand’s Swim Search in 2021.

Cara O’Bleness

Christen Harper

Christen Harper was photographed by Ben Watts in Barbados.

Christen Harper made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2021 when she was declared co-winner of the brand’s Swim Search. The year after her open casting call victory, Harper was named co-Rookie of the Year (alongside real-life bestie Katie Austin).

The Southern California native is a body positivity and self-love advocate who initially started to pursue her career in modeling at the age of 20. Harper received her bachelor’s degree from California State University and she’s also an experienced actress. She has appeared in films like Auggie and The Obituary of Tunde Johnson.

For her first SI Swimsuit Issue appearance, Harper traveled to Atlantic City, where she was photographed by Yu Tsai. Last year, the model went to Barbados, where Ben Watts snapped her photos.

“I cannot believe I am in the magazine this year as a rookie,” Harper exclaimed on location in Barbados. “I’m coming from Swim Search and it’s so exciting to just be back with the team, it feels like family and I’m just so excited for such a fun day ahead.” 

Harper added that when she learned of her rookie status, she “screamed and cried” in celebration and immediately called Austin—who had just received the same incredible news.

Below are 10 of our favorite images from Harper’s photo shoot in Barbados.

MTg5NDQwMTg3MDYyMjk3ODYy
MTg5NDQwMTg3MDYxODM5MTEw
MTg5NDQwMTg3MDYyMDM1NzE4
MTg5NDQwMTg3NTk4NjQ0ODMz
MTg5NDQwMTg3MzMwMjc0NTY2
MTg5NDQwMTg3MzMwNTM2NzEw
MTg5NDQwMTg3MzMwNDA1NjM4
MTg5NDQwMTg3MzMwNjY4MTI5
MTg5NDQwMTg3MzMwODY0NzM3
MTg5NDQwMTg3NTk4Nzc1NTU4

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!

Published
Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.