Swimsuit

SI Swimsuit Swim Search Profile Spotlight: Blake Newby

Get to know the editor-turned-TV personality as she vyes for a spot in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit's 2026 issue.

Alisandra Puliti

Blake Newby

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Swim Search isn’t just an open casting call— it’s a movement redefining beauty, confidence and inclusivity. As the ultimate open casting call, Swim Search provides aspiring models from all backgrounds, shapes and sizes the chance to grace the pages of one of the most iconic magazines in the world. It’s a platform that celebrates empowerment, diversity and breaking industry norms.

With each year, Swim Search continues to showcase fresh faces and inspiring stories, proving that beauty knows no boundaries. As in years past, SI Swimsuit talent like Katie Austin, Christen Goff, Brooks Nader and Camille Kostek have all made their debuts from this competition.

The 2025 Swim Search competition to find the next rookie for the 2026 issue is underway until March 31, 2025. Apply for the 2025 program here.

Meet Blake Newby

The Houston-raised editor-turned TV personality is one of the hundreds of applicants vying for a spot in the issue. To her, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit brand means sisterhood and empowerment. "I think about women who have done things their own way," she says. "Anyone who knows me will say Blake did things her own way." And she is currently walking in her lifelong dream of being an on air talent and creating content.

The 30-year-old New Jersey resident is already a staple at NYC events and fashion shows. Most recently, she attended the Sergio Hudson New York Fashion Week event and the Femme it Forward Give Her FlowHers Gala. She also was joined by Oscar-nominated Cynthia Erivo and Oscar winner Paul Tazewell at a Target pop-up for Wicked.

Newby is a Pilates enthusiast and can’t get enough of Benihana. She also can recite movies word for word – we will have to test her on that! On her podcast “According to Blake”, she explores the ins-and-outs of relationships, entertainment, mental and physical health, beauty, fashion and everything in-between. On TikTok, she has 2.1 million likes on her viral, informative posts.

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Alisandra Puliti
ALISANDRA PULITI

Alisandra Puliti is a NYC-based entertainment journalist with over 15 years of experience. Before joining the SI Swimsuit team as a contributing editor, the Penn State alum held several positions at HELLO! and HOLA! Media, Us Weekly and OK! Magazine. Throughout her tenure, she has been a fixture at events such as the Golden Globes to the Cannes Film Festival and has interviewed the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Zoe Saldana and more of Hollywood’s elite. A self-professed ‘social homebody,’ when she isn’t home binge-watching the newest streaming series or perfecting pasta dishes, her constant wanderlust has her packing her bags and heading out for a new adventure –most likely back to Italy!

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