Tyra Banks Sizzles in These 8 SI Swim Photos in the Bahamas

The icon graced the cover of the 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue after posing in the Caribbean.

Cara O’Bleness | Oct 9, 2023

Tyra Banks was photographed Laretta Houston in Great Exuma, Bahamas.

Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrated

Tyra Banks is not only a legendary supermodel, she’s an icon of the SI Swimsuit brand. The media mogul and television personality first posed for the magazine in 1993, when she worked with Walter Iooss Jr. in the Florida Keys. She returned to the fold three years later, when she traveled to South Africa and earned a cover alongside model Valeria Mazza.

In 1997, Banks became the first Black model to land a solo cover in SI Swimsuit history. She was photographed for the issue in Harbour Island, Bahamas. Since then, the 49-year-old has been featured in the Maldives, done several studio features, and most recently, landed the cover of the 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue after her photoshoot in Great Exuma, Bahamas.

In fact, Banks came out of retirement for her feature, and used the opportunity to uplift another woman into the spotlight: Laretta Houston became the brand’s first Black woman to photograph a cover of the SI Swimsuit Issue, and was handpicked by Banks herself.

“I feel like my mission in life is to open doors for other people and to get them to places that they probably couldn’t do on their own. I think we all need a little help,” Banks told Entertainment Tonight at the time. “My mama was my boost and I hope to be that for so many people.”

In addition to her work with SI Swimsuit, Banks is the creator of America’s Next Top Model and has previously hosted Dancing With the Stars. She’s also the founder of ice cream company SMiZE and Dream, and has modeled for countless brands like Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana.

In honor of her incredible career, we’re throwing it back to a few of our favorite photos from her 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue cover feature.

Tyra Banks — Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrated

Now through Nov. 1, 100% of SI Swimsuit’s portion of proceeds from cover prints purchased here will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund, which is helping to support the people and places of Maui affected by the recent wildfires.

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Published Oct 9, 2023

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara O’Bleness is a writer and editor on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Prior to joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she 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, O’Bleness 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.