We’re Obsessed With Christen Harper’s 4 Bright Bikinis in Atlantic City

The model co-won the Swim Search in 2021 and is the reigning co-Rookie of the Year.

Cara O’Bleness | Oct 5, 2023

Christen Harper was photographed by Yu Tsai in Atlantic City.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Christen Harper has been part of the SI Swimsuit family since 2021, when the model was discovered through and co-won the brand’s Swim Search open casting call. She posed for Yu Tsai in Atlantic City, where she donned a number of bright and colorful bikinis.

Last year, the California native returned to the fold, this time traveling to Barbados, where she worked with Ben Watts. She then earned co-Rookie of the Year honors alongside fellow model Katie Austin. This year’s SI Swimsuit Issue feature took Harper to Dominica, where she posed in front of Amanda Pratt’s lens.

While Harper and Austin met through the Swim Search, they quickly became best friends and each other’s biggest supporters rather than competitors.

“It’s so important to be able to have people that can relate to what is going on in your life,” Harper reflected. “I got to do this whole Swim Search process with my best friend, Katie Austin. It’s been just so nice to have each other to lean on through this, through the ups and the downs.”

In an Instagram post last October, the 30-year-old model called being named co-Rookie of the Year “an absolute insane honor.”

“As a young girl I greatly looked up to the women that were honored with this title,” Harper added. “To think I’m in the same conversation as all the incredible women before me gives me [chills] and inspires me to work even harder and dream even bigger. So endlessly grateful to be a part of something so big and so important for woman everywhere.”

Below, we’re throwing it back to a few of our favorite swimwear looks from Harper’s 2021 photoshoot in Atlantic City.

Christen Harper was photographed by Yu Tsai in Atlantic City, N.J. Swimsuit by Camille Kostek Collection for Swimsuits For All.

Christen Harper was photographed by Yu Tsai in Atlantic City, N.J. Swimsuit by Hunza G.

Christen Harper was photographed by Yu Tsai in Atlantic City, N.J. Swimsuit by TRIANGL.

Christen Harper was photographed by Yu Tsai in Atlantic City, N.J. Swimsuit by Gabriela Pires Beachwear.

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.

Shop Now and Make a Difference

Published Oct 5, 2023

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.