Get to Know 2023 Swim Search Finalist Achieng Agutu

Achieng Agutu.Daniel Martinez

Achieng Agutu is a content creator, model, confidence advocate and polyglot from Kisumu, Kenya. The 26-year-old is based in New York and describes herself as an “education baddie.” She studied public relations and Spanish as an undergrad at Goshen College in Indiana and did a double masters in international marketing and business analytics at Hult International Business School in Cambridge, Mass. Known on Instagram and TikTok as @noordinarynoire, Agutu empowers her 800,000 followers through her lifestyle content as a Black woman who loves fashion, skincare, beauty and luxury. She first gained prominence for her comedic monologues focused on showing what regular bodies look like. Her personal mission is to empower people to live authentically and live their best lives through self love and self confidence, and by reshaping beauty standards.

Hometown: Kisumu, Kenya
Occupation: Content creator and confidence advocate
Age: 26

Please list five fun facts about yourself.

1. I speak four languages fluently (English, Swahili, Dholuo and Spanish).
2. I was born and raised in Kenya.
3. I have my master's degree.
4. Anna Wintour complimented my outfit at the Vogue World event. (It was an OMG moment!)
5. I have two families, my birth family (who I love so, so much) and my host family who I lived with when I went to school in the States (who I also love so, so much).

What inspired you to try out for SI Swim Search?

“I have had SI [Swimsuit] on my vision board since I moved from Kenya to the U.S. in 2013. The brand has done such an amazing job at sharing powerful stories of women from all walks of life and really inspired me that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. The brand truly empowers, motivates and validates the voices of all women. With my own platforms, I've tried to do just that as well, so with being in the top 12, it feels that my long journey to get to this point is all worth it. It's surreal and magical!”

What has been the best part (so far) about being a part of The Swimfluence Network community?

“I have really enjoyed the dynamic nature of the platform. At first, I thought that we were only there to submit our videos but now it’s really become a space for support and communion and celebrating the magical experience that is womanhood! You have people sharing recipes, to people talking about their amazing businesses, to setting up cute brunch dates; it has truly been a gift J.”

Who was the first person you told the good news to?

“My dad. He has always been a champion for my success and he had really been rooting for me during this SI journey. He was screaming and cheering me on the other side of the phone when I called him, crying, with the news.”

What is your favorite SI Swimsuit memory?

“I would say in 2016 when Ashley Graham graced the cover of the SI Swimsuit. I remember my friends and I saw the physical copy and completely freaked out! To see a woman on the cover that has a similar body type and is absolutely gorgeous as she is was so exciting. Ashley Graham has always been a role model to me given her confidence and not letting anyone dim her light.”

What advice would you give to your younger self?

“Take all the riskssss, honeyyyy! You have one life; you only die once but you have the chance to live every day. Life is full of uncertainties and challenges and taking risks can be scary. But it's important to remember that taking risks is often necessary to achieve your goals and dreams. Don't let fear hold you back from pursuing what you really want in life.”

What changes would you like to see in the world?

“Historically, women have been denied control over their own bodies. This has taken many forms, including forced sterilization, forced pregnancy and restrictions on access to reproductive healthcare. I want to see a world where women have the right to bodily autonomy, where they have the right to access safe and legal abortion services, the right to access contraception and the right to make decisions about their own reproductive health without interference from others. Protecting the right to bodily autonomy for women is essential for ensuring gender equality, promoting reproductive justice, but, most importantly, upholding human rights. That’s the change I want to see in the world right now.”