7 Photos We’re Still Thinking About From Olivia Culpo’s Cover Photo Shoot in Bali

The SI Swimsuit model appeared in four consecutive issues.

Ananya Panchal | Mar 10, 2024

Olivia Culpo was photographed by Yu Tsai in Bali.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

SI Swimsuit model Olivia Culpo made her powerful debut with the brand in 2018, when she starred in a moving in-studio bodypaint project titled “In Her Own Words” with talented artist Joanne Gair and photographer Taylor Ballantyne. She returned to the fold the following three years, traveling to Kangaroo Island with Josie Clough, Bali for a breathtaking beach feature that landed her on the cover of the ’20 issue, and most recently, a stunning and summery photo shoot in Hollywood, Fla., with Ben Watts.

“I always wanted to kind of break out, and I needed a platform to do that. I think from a young age, I looked at Sports Illustrated and what it represented and the platform they gave women as something that could really change my life,“ the 31-year-old shared. “They represented to me the women who could do it all. I thought even if it didn’t work out for me, I know going on this path and trying to be, in any way, shape or form, like these other women, I could be better.”

Today, the former Miss Universe, who secured the coveted title in 2012, is engaged to longtime boyfriend and San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey. She’s active on Instagram and TikTok, constantly sharing behind the scenes content from modeling gigs, displaying her impeccable style and posing skills, and sharing her favorite fashion and beauty picks.

Below are six of our favorite photos from her 2020 cover photo shoot on the sandy shores of Bali, where she worked with photographer Yu Tsai, and donned some of the cutest, quiet luxury-inspired neutral suits.

Olivia Culpo — Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Published Mar 10, 2024

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.