Ashley Callingbull Was Pretty in Pink in the Dominican Republic

The Swim Search finalist was photographed by Yu Tsai for the 2022 SI Swimsuit Issue.

Cara O’Bleness | Jan 2, 2024

Ashley Callingbull was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Dominican Republic.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

As a Swim Search finalist in 2022, Ashley Callingbull became the first Indigenous First Nations woman to grace the pages of the SI Swimsuit Issue. The Canadian model and television personality traveled to the Dominican Republic for her photoshoot, where she donned a number of pastel and pretty pink swimsuits for her feature.

The 34-year-old noted that by trying out for the brand’s open casting call, she hoped to open “the door for other Indigenous women to walk through and shine.” Callingbull also pointed out another inspirational moment in SI Swimsuit history as her favorite moment with the magazine.

“My favorite memory is when Tyra Banks graced the cover for the first time,” she said. “I looked at it and instantly saw a powerful woman. At the time, I was a young insecure girl finding my place in the world and there was no Indigenous representation in magazines. But seeing this woman who lived up to her own standards of beauty and looked powerful doing it, gave me goosebumps. It gave me the drive to think that I could also break barriers someday.”

In addition to her work with the publication, Callingbull has also graced the cover of FASHION Magazine in her native Canada. Today, she works as an in-game host for the Canadian Football League and National Hockey League.

Below are a few of our favorite photos of Callingbull from her SI Swimsuit feature in the Caribbean, captured by photographer Yu Tsai.

Ashley Callingbull — Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

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Published Jan 2, 2024

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.