Swimsuit

Swim Search Finalist Ashley Callingbull’s 3 Best Pastel Looks in the Dominican Republic

The model’s Caribbean feature last year was a historic one.

Cara O’Bleness

Ashley Callingbull was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Dominican Republic.

Ashley Callingbull was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Dominican Republic.

As a Swim Search finalist last year, Ashley Callingbull became the first Indigenous First Nations woman to be featured in the pages of the annual magazine. The former Mrs. Universe traveled to the Dominican Republic for her SI Swimsuit feature, where she was photographed by Yu Tsai.

“I always think about the legacy I am going to leave behind and what doors I can open for others along the way. It was always a goal of mine to shatter glass ceilings and be the first Indigenous First Nations woman in Sports Illustrated,” Callingbull stated of her decision to apply for the brand’s open casting call. “This dream is finally a reality and the most important part about it all is that I won’t be the last. I am opening the door for other Indigenous women to walk through and shine.”

In addition to opening doors and creating opportunities for other people, the 33-year-old noted that the best part of participating in the Swim Search was the “girl power you feel 100% of the time.”

“I’ve made so many strong connections with women who all have their own passions and goals but we all still come together at the end of the day to check in on one another,” she noted. “It’s empowering to be a part of a group that uplifts your soul.”

The actress, model, motivational speaker and television personality added soon-to-be author to her already impressive résumé last year when she signed a deal with HarperCollins Canada. As we eagerly await her book debut this winter, we’re throwing it back to a few of her best pastel looks on the beach last year.

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Ashley Callingbull was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by HAUS OF PINKLEMONAID

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Ashley Callingbull was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by INDAH

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Ashley Callingbull was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Toxic Sadie Swimwear

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Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.