Swimsuit

5 Marvelous Photos From Nina Agdal’s Iconic Cover Photoshoot in the Cook Islands

The six-time SI Swimsuit model was featured on the front of the 2014 issue after her feature with James Macari.

Ananya Panchal

Nina Agdal

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands.

We’ll never get tired of Nina Agdal’s SI Swimsuit photos, and luckily, there are so many to choose from. The model made her brand debut in the Desroches Islands in the Seychelles in 2012 and returned for a total of six consecutive magazine appearances. Over the years, the 31-year-old has traveled to Hayman Island in Australia, the Cook Islands, Utah, Zanzibar and most recently, Mexico.

In 2014, she was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands and landed on the cover of the iconic 50th anniversary issue alongside fellow models Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen.

Earlier this year, the Danish model, who recently got engaged to internet personality Logan Paul, reflected on her time with the magazine, and gushed about the exciting cover that will “forever be in the top three moments” of her career.

“Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and MJ Day [editor in chief] were the ones to put my name on the map and that helped me pursue my modeling career in a way that wouldn’t have been possible without them,” she said. “Some of my best memories are from the early, early mornings and shoot days with the SI crew.”

She added that she spent a chunk of her formative modeling years with the brand and learned quite a lot.

“I wish I had been more aware of the fact that my job is not my identity” she added. “I would have been better at saying ‘no’ and putting my foot down even to the big guns. It’s easy to be influenced when you’re young and vulnerable and even though I have a decently strong-willed personality, I still agreed to doing some things I now wish I hadn’t.”

Below are a few of our favorite snapshots from her 2014 feature in the Cook Islands.

Nina Agdal
Nina Agdal
Nina Agdal
Nina Agdal
Nina Agdal

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.

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Ananya Panchal

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a NYC-based Lifestyle & Trending News writer at SI Swimsuit. Before joining the Swim team, the Boston University Alum worked for culture & entertainment beats at Bustle, The San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When Ananya is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, she can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast.