Former ‘DWTS’ Contestant, Model Alexis Ren Stunned on SI Swimsuit Set in Aruba

She was named 2018’s Rookie of the Year following her photo shoot with Yu Tsai.

Ananya Panchal | Nov 26, 2024

Alexis Ren was photographed by Yu Tsai in Aruba. / Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Model, actress and entrepreneur Alexis Ren made a splash during her SI Swimsuit debut in 2018. The 28-year-old, who celebrated her birthday last week, totally blew the brand away with her beauty and professionalism on set in Aruba with photographer Yu Tsai. The content creator, who was a travel influencer long before the job was mainstream, has racked up a following of more than 17.6 million on Instagram. The Santa Monica, Calif., native was so stunning and radiant that she earned the Rookie of the Year title after her breathtaking beach feature.

Today, the Latency and The Enforcer star, who is breaking into the film and television industry after already making a name for herself in modeling and fashion, is the cofounder of wellness community We Are Warriors. She created the platform in 2021, with the intention of connecting like-minded women with fitness content, lifestyle resources, access to mental health support and mentorship.

Ren prioritizes her wellbeing and is focused on living an active, healthy and balanced lifestyle. She launched her Easy A podcast with Allie Michelle earlier this year, and each week, the two women bring on guests who offer valuable advice on how to navigate the nuances of life and live up to your potential.

“Becoming a leader means understanding that you’ll always be a student. Leadership requires presence, compassion and the ability to bring together many different elements to create a cohesive whole. To remain a leader, you must be accountable for your own growth, recognizing that it’s not about always being the best winner, but about learning to be the best loser. This way, you can continuously grow not in spite of the mistakes and challenges, but because of them,” she explained. “I keep my spirit healthy by surrounding myself with good friends, taking care of my body, and staying connected to nature. Writing, dancing, cooking and laughing a lot are essential parts of my routine. I also make it a point to celebrate life and go out of my way to create memorable moments that I know I’ll cherish.”

In honor of the Dancing With the Stars finale tonight, we’re taking a look back at the former contestant’s best images from her 2018 SI Swimsuit photo shoot. Ren finished fourth with partner Alan Bersten (who is dancing alongside SI Swimsuit’s September digital issue cover girl Ilona Maher tonight) the same year as her SI Swimsuit feature.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Ilona Never Before Seen Photos. Ilona Maher’s Never Before Seen SI Swimsuit Photos. dark. Next

Published Nov 26, 2024|Modified Nov 26, 2024

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.