4 Incredible Photos of Lawyer-Turned-Model Michelle Fuente Steffen

The Argentinian beauty was photographed in the Dominican Republic last year.

Cara O’Bleness | Oct 13, 2023

Michelle Fuente Steffen was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Dominican Republic.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

A lawyer by trade, Michelle Fuente Steffen left her practice to pursue modeling and was a finalist in last year’s Swim Search. The open casting call experience led her to the Dominican Republic, where the Buenos Aires native posed in front of Yu Tsai’s lens.

During her photoshoot in the Caribbean, Steffen donned a number of stunning swimwear looks, including several bright and colorful bikinis. Ahead of her photoshoot, the lawyer-turned-model told SI Swimsuit that she strived to be as strong as she possibly could, both mentally and physically, for the opportunity ahead.

“Surprisingly, I was not nervous beforehand at all because I felt I was going there to do my job—what I love the most and makes me feel most secure in the world—but I was a little bit anxious about it,” Steffen admitted. “I definitely paid much more attention to my skincare routine, worked out double and hydrated myself twice as much as usual.”

And while the resulting photographs are incredible evidence of her work as a model, Steffen said that the best part of being among The Swimfluence Network community was simply the support she received from her peers.

“I found a community of people who are not there to compete among themselves but to support each other, and I feel all these girls got it just right and understood perfectly what the SI Swim Search is about,” Steffen shared. “It makes me proud to be a part of a group of people sharing that kind of vibe and good intentions towards others.”

Below are a few of our favorite snaps from her photoshoot last year in the Dominican Republic.

Michelle Fuente Steffen — Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Now through Nov. 1, 100% of SI Swimsuit’s portion of proceeds from cover prints purchased here will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund, which is helping to support the people and places of Maui affected by the recent wildfires.

Shop Now and Make a Difference

Published Oct 13, 2023

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara O’Bleness is a writer and editor on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Prior to joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she 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, O’Bleness 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.