Katie Austin’s Daring 2025 Shoot Sizzled Enough to Keep Anyone Warm Through Winter

The brand staple never fails to turn heads, and her latest shoot was the perfect example.
Katie Austin was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Katie Austin was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Katie Austin was destined for stardom ever since she became a 2021 Swim Search finalist. The model ultimately co-won the open casting call audition alongside Christen Goff and has been showcased in the pages of SI Swimsuit ever since.

For her fifth consecutive shoot with the SI Swimsuit team—following stints in Atlantic City (2021), Montenegro in 2022, the Dominican Republic in 2023 and Portugal in 2024—the fitness content creator and KA Daily founder traveled to Bermuda, where she joined two 2025 cover models, Olivia Dunne and Lauren Chan, with Achieng Agutu, Ilona Maher, Brooks Nader, Jena Sims and Ellie Thumann on the coast.

Katie Austin was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Katie Austin was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit by White Fox Boutique. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

The shoot showcased elevated neutrals, ranging from a crochet, sequin-adorned Andi Bagus two-piece to a JÉBLANC chain dress embellished with crystals. The issue hit newsstands on May 13, and shortly after on the red carpet of the SI Swimsuit 2025 Launch Party in New York City, she dished on a specific ensemble that particularly caught her eye.

Katie Austin was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Katie Austin was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit by Andi Bagus. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

“I love the bikini that I wore with Ms. Cover Girl Brooks Nader,” the model dished at the Hard Rock Hotel New York. The Andi Bagus number was spotted on the SI Swimsuit 2023 cover model, who twinned with Austin off the coast of the Atlantic.

Serendipitously, Nader is also a Swim Search winner, as were half of the multitalented roster that stepped onto set in Bermuda. The group was rounded out by Agutu and Sims, who both scored winning spots in 2023. “We did a little starfish matching bikini [moment]. It’s basically nude, but it’s my favorite,” Austin continued.

Katie Austin was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Katie Austin was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit by Andi Bagus. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

As for the former collegiate lacrosse player turned health coach, Austin also gushed over her latest SI Swimsuit feature on Instagram. Along with a reel of behind the scenes clips, the model gushed over her half-decade-long tenure with the brand. In addition to her Swim Search win, the model also notched a Rookie of the Year nod in 2022, alongside Goff as well.

Katie Austin was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Katie Austin was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit by Sommer Swim. Dress by JÉBLANC. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

“Always an honor to grace these pages again,” the model penned to Instagram on May 13. She added, “So grateful to MJ [Day, SI Swimsuit editor in chief], the entire team, the other models, and this crazy dream I’ve gotten to call a REALITY FOR 5 YEARS!!! 💕💕💕💕.”

For fans of Austin, her portfolio with the magazine is both extensive and eye-catching. Before you head over to her latest shoot in Bermuda, learn more about her journey with SI Swimsuit here!


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Bailey Colon
BAILEY COLON

Bailey Colón is a writer on the Breaking and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit, Colón worked at the National Basketball Association where she served as a founding member of the ‘Starting 5’ newsletter and led editorial operations for the NBA App and dotcom. Colón is particularly passionate about the impact of athletics on popular culture, fashion and media. The New England native has a bachelor’s degree from Marist College in journalism and political science.