Ellie Thumann Is Glowing in These 6 Denim Swimwear Photos

The rookie posed for this year’s SI Swimsuit Issue in Puerto Rico.

Cara O’Bleness | Oct 15, 2023

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico.

Derek Kettela/Sports Illustrated

While she was a featured as a rookie in the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue, Ellie Thumann has been modeling since she was a young girl. The 21-year-old Arizona native got her start doing print work and runway shows alongside her mother and has been a YouTube sensation since the age of 13. Thumann uses her channel to highlight beauty, lifestyle and fashion content for her 2.19 million subscribers.

Her SI Swimsuit rookie feature took her to Puerto Rico, where Thumann posed for photographer Derek Kettela in the Caribbean. The styling on set was inspired by denim, so Thumann donned a number of blue jean-inspired looks and ensembles that incorporated the textile while on the beach. Thumann called her experience posing for the annual issue “surreal.”

“[I’m] just trying to take it all in knowing it’s such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said while on set with the SI Swimsuit team. ”Really trying to keep myself grounded and looking at everything that’s happened to get me here. It’s just incredible.”

The model and influencer is known for being candid with her social media following. She shares not only the highs of the industry but also the lows and is incredibly transparent about her mental health.

“I’ve gone through a lot of different changes with my own mental health, my own physical body and everything, but showing up as the healthiest version of myself is such a priority to me, especially after a time recently where I struggled with that,” she added. “Feeling strong and healthy is most important to me inside and out and mentally and physically, and I finally feel like that, and so I’m very proud to show that.”

Below are a few of our favorite photos from Thumann’s rookie feature in the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by ELSE Lingerie. Chaps by Denimcratic.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by WeWoreWhat. Necklace by Laura Lombardi.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by Matthew Bruch. Top by Denimcratic.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by Chloe Rose. Belt by KATE CATE.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by OYE Swimwear.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Top by Denimcratic. Bottoms by netta.

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Published Oct 15, 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.