Swimsuit

Olivia Culpo Offers Inspiring Words and Poses for These 7 Incredible Photos in Florida

The four-time SI Swimsuit model stunned during her 2021 magazine feature.

Martha Zaytoun

Olivia Culpo stands before the ocean and poses for the camera.

Olivia Culpo was photographed by Ben Watts in Hollywood, Fla.

When model and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo made her debut with SI Swimsuit in 2018, she was fulfilling a big dream that her younger self had harbored. After her rookie year, she went on to make three more appearances in the publication in just as many years. In 2021, for her fourth appearance in the magazine, the model traveled to Hollywood, Fla., with photographer Ben Watts.

While there, we took the chance to talk to Culpo, who had graced the cover of the issue in 2020, about her experience with the brand. “I always wanted to kind of break out, and I needed a platform to do that. I think from a young age, I looked at Sports Illustrated and what it represented and the platform they gave women as something that could really change my life,” she said of her perception of the brand and the opportunity that she anticipated it bringing.

For her, as for many others, the women who graced the pages of the annual issue were an inspiration. “They represented to me the women who could do it all,” she explained. “I thought even if it didn’t work out for me, I know going on this path and trying to be, in any way, shape or form, like these other women, I could be better.”

In the end, Culpo herself became the inspiration for other girls to look up to. Today, we’re taking a look back at that Florida feature and reminiscing on her powerful words, as well. Here are some of our favorite photos from the trip.

Olivia Culpo poses in front of the ocean in a colorful striped triangle bikini.
Olivia Culpo sits on a pool deck in a colorful printed halter neck bikini.
Olivia Culpo stands on the beach in red white and blue high-cut one-piece swimsuit.
Olivia Culpo kneels on the sand in a deep pink underwire bikini and high-waisted bottoms.
Olivia Culpo stands in front of the water in a pink triangle bikini top and a pair of white floral shorts.
Olivia Culpo lounges on a pool deck in high-waisted white and black bikini bottoms and a strapless top.
Olivia Culpo sits in a blue lounge chair in a bright orange underwire bikini top and high-waisted bottoms.

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Martha Zaytoun
MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.

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