Swimsuit

Tanaye White Is a Natural Beauty in These 6 Photos From Sacramento

After co-winning the 2020 Swim Search, the model returned as an SI Swimsuit rookie the following year.

Martha Zaytoun

Tanaye White lounges on the ground in a purple bikini and leans her head on her

Tanaye White was photographed by Anne Menke in Sacramento, Calif.

After co-winning the 2020 Swim Search, which brought her to the beaches of Turks and Caicos, Tanaye White returned to the SI Swimsuit Issue as a rookie in 2021. 

That year, her photoshoot was just a touch less conventional. Rather than hitting the beaches for her second experience with the brand, she headed to Sacramento, Calif. There, White posed in the beautiful countryside, on barn ladders and atop stunning white horses.

“Tanaye is a force to be reckoned with. Beautiful, brilliant, humble and hardworking, she’s accomplished so much on her own and is a prime example of what can happen when you unapologetically pursue your dreams,” editor in chief MJ Day said of the model. “[This year] will be a game-changer for Tanaye as she takes the next step in her modeling career as an official rookie in SI Swimsuit and as an advocate for representation.”

The sentiment was matched by the model herself, who took to Instagram at the time to share her excitement over the feature and the diverse representation in the annual issue.

“First Rookie Up to Bat 🏆 😝🐎 Honored to be a part of this year’s history-making @si_swimsuit issue featuring THREE BLACK WOMEN as cover girls: @theestallion @leynabloom @naomiosaka,” White expressed in the caption. “My heart is so full! No matter your skin color, body type, or hair texture… there is space for you always! #DREAMCOMETRUE.”

The experience gave her the chance to prove her impressive skills in front of photographer Anne Menke’s camera lens. And that she did. Below are some of our favorite photos from the trip.

Tanaye White leans back on a wooden swing, wearing a light blue ruched bikini.
Tanaye White sits on a blanket in a field in a white bikini.
Tanaye White walks through a field in a pink tie-back one-piece and black leather boots.
Tanaye White lays in a rusted white bathtub in a pink floral bikini.
Tanaye White sits in the saddle atop a white horse in a pink and white gingham bikini set.

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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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