Ellie Thumann Is Angelic in These 6 Bikini Photos

The 2023 SI Swimsuit rookie was photographed in Puerto Rico.

Cara O’Bleness | Dec 4, 2023

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico.

Derek Kettela/Sports Illustrated

For her rookie feature in the SI Swimsuit Issue, Ellie Thumann traveled to Puerto Rico, where the 22-year-old influencer posed in front of Derek Kettela’s lens.

The styling for Thumann’s beachside photoshoot incorporated a unique fabric not usually typically worn on the sand: denim. The YouTuber donned several blue jean-inspired bikinis while on location, and the resulting images make us question why denim swimwear wasn’t in vogue sooner.

The Phoenix native has been modeling since she was a young girl, and has worked with notable brands like Marc Jacobs, Levi’s, Kate Spade, Reebok and Coach. Thumann initially got her start doing print and runway work alongside her mother.

A huge mental health advocate, Thumann uses her Instagram and TikTok platforms to showcase her life and travels as an influencer and model, and is always transparent with her fans regarding both the highs and lows of her everyday adventures.

“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 told SI Swimsuit. “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.”

Thumann also has some great advice for embracing self-confidence, which she shared with the SI Swimsuit team while in the Caribbean.

“Show up exactly as you are and be confident in that,” Thumann suggested. “That always radiates from the inside out. I’ve tried to mask that or have a fake confidence, but until you feel it from yourself, it’s not gonna radiate in an authentic way.”

Below are a few of our favorite photos from Thumann’s rookie feature in Puerto Rico.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by Andi Bagus. Rings by Chikahisa Studio.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by BĀBEN. Hat by Denimcratic.

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

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by Andi Bagus.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by Monica Hansen Beachwear.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by Swim Like A Mermaid.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!

Published Dec 4, 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.