Yumi Nu Made History With This Stunning SI Swim Debut in Florida

It was the first of three brand features for the model and singer-songwriter.

Martha Zaytoun | Feb 14, 2024

Yumi Nu was photographed by Yu Tsai in Tampa, Fla.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

In 2022, Yumi Nu took the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Though hugely significant, it wasn’t her first experience modeling for the annual issue. The year before, she traveled to Tampa, Fla., for her brand debut—a stunning feature that earned her a second consecutive photo shoot, which then turned into a spot on the cover.

It was a big moment for the now 27-year-old model and singer-songwriter, who first entered the industry as a teenager—and it came in the midst of a new height in her career. The same year that she joined the SI Swimsuit family, Nu appeared in both American and Japanese Vogue, making 2021 a really standout year in the course of her career.

But her SI Swimsuit debut was significant for other reasons, too. With her first feature, she became “the first Asian curve Sports Illustrated model,” a fact that made her “so proud,” she said on Instagram at the time.

“Secrets out!!! 🤯 I’m a 2021 @si_swimsuit Rookie! What an incredible honor it is to be in such an inclusive and beautiful magazine that has pushed the envelope since day 1,” she wrote in the post. “An incredible day with our amazing crew who had me laughing all day.”

It was both a historic and extremely enjoyable trip for the New Jersey native, and it was only the start of her relationship with the SI Swimsuit brand. Here are a few of the beautiful photos from that first feature.

Yumi Nu was photographed by Yu Tsai in Tampa, Fla. Swimsuit by Agua Bendita.

Yumi Nu was photographed by Yu Tsai in Tampa, Fla. Swimsuit by Sidway Swim. Earrings by 8 Other Reasons.

Yumi Nu was photographed by Yu Tsai in Tampa, Fla. Swimsuit by Keva J. Earrings by 8 Other Reasons.

Yumi Nu was photographed by Yu Tsai in Tampa, Fla. Swimsuit by Toluca Swim. Cover-up by Andrea Iyamah. Earrings and ring by SOKO.

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Published Feb 14, 2024

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.