7 Idyllic Images of Three-Time SI Swimsuit Star Ellie Thumann in Bermuda

The model and content creator looked right at home in paradise for her feature in the 2025 issue.
Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

With each new SI Swimsuit photo shoot, Ellie Thumann continues to prove she‘s the right person for the job. The content creator traveled to Bermuda with Ben Watts for her third appearance in the magazine, and this gallery might be her most radiant yet.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit by Lybethras. Socks by Adidas x Wales Bonner. Sneakers by Salomon. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

The 23-year-old brought her signature charm, natural beauty and confidence to each and every frame, posing on pink sand beaches, under cloudless skies and along turquoise shorelines, fully embracing the sun-drenched energy of year three with the franchise.

Ellie Thumann poses for the 2025 SI Swimsuit magazine.
Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit top by Andi Bagus. Swimsuit bottom by Lybethras. Shorts by KSUBI. Hat by Eugenia Kim. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Thumann made her debut in Puerto Rico in 2023 with photographer Derek Kettela and returned in 2024 to shoot in Mexico with Yu Tsai. With each appearance, her confidence visibly grew. “Everything is hard before it’s easy, and I’m entering a stage in my life where I’m finally witnessing the results of this and embracing my most confident self,” she said during her Bermuda shoot.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit by Andi Bagus. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

In a celebratory Instagram post following the issue’s May 13 digital release, she further reflected on her journey. “Forever grateful for January 2023 and everything that has followed after,” the Arizona native, who now lives in Charleston, SC, wrote. “My @si_swimsuit family has helped me grow as a woman and challenged me out of my comfort zone in so many beautiful ways.”

Ellie Thumann poses for the 2025 SI Swimsuit magazine.
Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit by Tropic of C. Necklace by Lele Sadoughi. Bracelet by Lizzie Fortunato. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Known for her fashion, lifestyle and beauty content, Thumann first began creating videos for YouTube at age 12. More than a decade later, she has built a platform rooted in authenticity, joy and wellness, and now reaches more than 4.4 million followers across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. She’s been open about her struggles with anxiety and consistently uses her voice to advocate for mental health, self-care and balance.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit by SAME. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Beyond her work with SI Swimsuit, Thumann has built an impressive résumé modeling for brands like Prada Beauty, Bvlgari, Giorgio Armani, Coach, Victoria’s Secret PINK and Alo Yoga, where she’s served as a longtime ambassador. Known for her creative direction, polished aesthetic and approachable charm, she brings a unique blend of editorial presence and digital savvy to every campaign she touches.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit by Andi Bagus. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

But amidst it all, Thumann remains committed to keeping things real. She’s made it a priority to show both the highlights and the challenges of modeling and life in the digital age, always aiming to connect with her audience through honesty and vulnerability.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda.
Ellie Thumann was photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Swimsuit by Lybethras. Socks by Adidas x Wales Bonner. Sneakers by Salomon. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

“Staying true to myself and how my family raised me, always being kind, staying authentic to how I have always been, even in the midst of glamour, travel and incredible opportunities,” is what Thumann said keeps her grounded.

The official magazine is available online and at select newsstands now. Order your copy here.

Her Return to the Fold. https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/v1747144787/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/si_swimsuit/01jv4z3fe96jv15sg7ms.jpg. More Ellie Thumann. https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/v1747144548/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/si_swimsuit/01jv4yw6zjqdryam4cnf.jpg. https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/v1746135944/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/si_swimsuit/01jt6wzwdzf0dd0rwc50.jpg. Ellie Thumann Content. View the Full 2025 Gallery


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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.