5 Enchanting Photos of Swim Search Finalist Manuela Alvarez Hernandez in the Bahamas

The open casting call alumna was photographed by Yu Tsai for the 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue.

Ananya Panchal | Oct 26, 2023

Manuela Alvarez Hernandez was photographed by Yu Tsai on Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Colombian model Manuela Alvarez Hernandez made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2019 as a Swim Search finalist. The open casting call alumna was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Bahamas after being selected as one of six finalists from a massive pool of applicants.

“When I submitted my casting video I was going through a very hard time, overcoming an eating disorder and learning to love myself again. I was ready to give up on modeling and just focus on finishing school and getting a job. Being chosen as one of the finalists and having Sports Illustrated believe in me showed me that it wasn’t time for me to give up and that I needed to believe in myself,” the model candidly revealed to the magazine. “This opportunity has taught me to love myself for who I am, appreciate my Latina curves and has helped me set an example for so many girls and women out there that are trying to come into this industry without fitting into that standard mold. Like I’ve said before, this opportunity saved me and I will forever be grateful for that.”

Hernandez, who is a former boutique personal stylist, received her degree in marketing from Florida International University’s College of Business. She’s also the founder of upcoming brand and passion project Omuse, which she recently began teasing on social media.

Below are five of our favorite photos from her 2019 photoshoot on Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Manuela Alvarez Hernandez — Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

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Published Oct 26, 2023

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.