SI Swimsuit 2017 Rookie Reveal: Kelly Gale


The wait is finally over! Rookie Reveal Week has arrived. Throughout the week, SwimDaily will introduce our newest models with voting set to begin on Friday Feb. 3. Today, we meet Kelly Gale.

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• Meet the 2017 SI Swimsuit Rookie Class: Kelly Gale | Lais Ribeiro | Myla Dalbesio | Vita Sidorkina | Danielle Herrington | Bianca Balti | Mia Kang

Kelly, a native of Sweden, got her start in modeling at age 13 and has appeared in numerous catalogs and fashion magazines. You may recognize her from the runway of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, where she first walked in 2013 at the age of 18. When she's not modeling, Kelly likes to create new dishes in the kitchen, go on really long walks (like 10 miles!) and play FIFA on her Playstation.

And of course, Kelly will be at the VIBES by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit festival in Houston. The two-day event at Post HTX kicks off on Feb. 17 with a food festival featuring favorites from top national and regional chefs along with a performance by R&B sensation Miguel. The fun continues on Saturday with a lineup of local Houston musicians and a headlining performance by Grammy Award-winning producer and DJ Diplo. BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

As for Kelly, here are five fun facts you might not know about the Swedish stunner.

1. As a kid, Kelly played competitive tennis in Sweden, often staying on the court for three hours a day, six days per week. At age 13, she had to decide whether she wanted to model or keep playing tennis. Thankfully, she chose modeling.

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2. Kelly's first shoot was for H&M at age 13, but she told them she was 15 to land the gig. She was to play the mother in a family of four. Her husband was played by a 35-year-old and her two kids were supposed to be 7 and 9. In other words, Kelly would've had two children by the time she was 13 in this scenario. Below is a photo of the happy family!

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3. She's best known for her work with Victoria's Secret, and walked the runway of their annual fashion show in 2013, 2014 and 2016.

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4. She was really into the Dubsmash fad of 2015. 

She's also a Borat fan, which combined with Dubsmash, is quite hilarious.

5. She knows how to look sexy while cliff jumping in a bikini. Especially in slow-motion...

BONUS: See some of Kelly's career highlights! 

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram

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Kelly Gale :: @kellybellyboom/Instagram



Published
Andy Gray
ANDY GRAY

A senior editor atSI.com, Andy Gray oversees Hot Clicks, Extra Mustard and the Swimsuit site. A Boston sports loyalist and Columbia graduate, he joined SI in 2005.