Sara Sampaio skinny-dipping on the cover of MAXIM is the HOTTEST thing you'll see this week

Kelsey Hendrix | Apr 25, 2016

How did "the math genius turned supermodel [become] the siren of South Beach?"

In a new cover feature for MAXIM, Sara Sampaio opens up about her rise to superstar status and how she's dealing with becoming a household name. Oh, and did we mention that she's submerged in water, wearing NOTHING AT ALL, as she grace's her first-ever U.S. magazine cover?

It's been a big year for the two-time SI Swimsuit model from Portugal, who landed the gig as a Victoria's Secret Angel and has walked in fashion week shows for major labels like Balmain and Miu Miu.

"Sara Sampaio is on fire—and that's just the way she planned it."

The gorgeous bombshell goes on to describe her discovery and early modeling career, which started as "a two-week jaunt across the pond" that eventually "turned into a whirlwind year of modeling gigs throughout Europe." And although success has come quickly for the Calzedonia model, she admits that she may never get used to being mobbed in Paris and Portugal.

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"When we go somewhere, my dad will start shouting my name very loudly," she tells MAXIM. "He'll yell, 'Oh, my God, it's Sara Sampaio!' My brother does the same. They like to break my balls."

BONUS: See some of Sara's best moments in SI Swimsuit!