Introducing the 2023 SI Swim Search Final 12

This group of finalists is impressive beyond belief, and we can’t wait for you to get to know them.

SI Staff | Apr 2, 2023

We couldn’t be more excited to introduce you to the 2023 SI Swim Search Final 12. This group of women is impressive beyond belief, and we can’t wait for you to get to know them.

SI Swim Search is the annual casting call that provides opportunities for aspiring and established models to meet with the SI Swimsuit team in the hopes of being featured by the brand, either in the iconic print issue or in various ways on their digital platforms. The format of open casting has evolved slightly over the last few years. In-person casting calls were conducted in select cities across the U.S. until the pandemic forced Swim Search to go online via social media and The Swimfluence Network app. This shift has actually allowed for more participants to enter, giving more people the chance to appear in the magazine.

We have been blown away by the quality and creativity of the digital casting videos submitted this year. Following a close review of all videos, a virtual casting was held with a selected group and our SI Swimsuit team. We’re now pleased to present the Final 12. Stay tuned for more updates on the 2023 SI Swim Search program and get ready to be dazzled by these incredible finalists.

Achieng Agutu

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.

Nina Cash

Nina Cash is a retired university associate dean and model from Long Beach, Calif. She has more than 30 years of experience in education, training and workforce development, and holds an undergraduate degree in human services, a certificate in mediation, a graduate degree in negotiation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and a doctorate in educational leadership, with an emphasis in higher education and adult learning. Despite her formal education, she believes that the best classroom is the world and the best teacher is life experience. The 56-year-old is married and has three daughters, two sons-in-law, four rescue pups and one grand pup. Cash is an active volunteer and enjoys being of service to causes that positively impact the lives of people, animals and the community in which she lives. She grew up in a Filipino, Catholic and military family and enjoys retail therapy, joking that she earned a black belt in bargain shopping under the tutelage of her master sensei—her older sister.

Sharina Gutierrez

Sharina Gutierrez is a model, entrepreneur, sound guide and mother of three from Los Angeles. Born to Filipino parents who migrated to the U.S., the 32-year-old has made a name for herself in the fashion industry, having appeared on magazine covers, campaigns, commercials, and music videos since she was 12 years old. She has worked with brands such as Ralph Lauren, Estee Lauder, Rimmel London and Reebok, among others. In addition to her modeling career, Gutierrez is a sound guide who helps people rise to their higher selves and pursue a life of unconditional self-love. She is also a founding member of Mama Mantra, a family brand launching in 2023 that focuses on spreading positivity and encouraging parents and children to believe in themselves and break barriers. She is also a partner with a manufacturing company that helps existing brands, influencers, athletes and celebrities create successful brands by offering resources to push their companies to the next level. Gutierrez’s mission is to spread light and love to the world and be a voice for anyone who has ever felt less than their true potential.

Adison Justis

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Adison Justis is a 21-year-old model from Rockford, Ill., currently residing in Los Angeles. She was scouted by Wilhelmina Models at 17 and has been modeling full-time since. Justis recently completed her two-year college degree online while working as an intern for producer Lori Rothschild Ansaldi, specializing in criminal justice reform and wrongful conviction cases. She researches innocence claims to determine the viability of wrongful conviction cases, pushing cases for media exposure in hopes of finding a law firm to take the case pro bono. Justis is also passionate about the beauty and fashion community and often shares her beauty routines across her social media platforms.

Jenna Kutcher

Jennifer Perkins

Jenna Kutcher is an entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author and podcast host from Duluth, Minn. The 34-year-old is the host of “The Goal Digger Podcast” and the author of the book, How Are You, Really? Kutcher is also a digital marketer, speaker, educator, dreamer and mother of two. At the age of 23, she invested in a $300 camera off of Craigslist that led to her leaving her corporate job and building the brand she runs today. Her current mission is to help women harness the power to take control of their lives.

Penny Lane

Penny Lane is an international model and certified holistic health coach from Cheshire, England. The 27-year old loves adventure, especially in nature, and enjoys a good challenge like a steep hike or a sea swim. Lane had dreamed of exploring the world and meeting different kinds of people since she was a child. However, she hit rock bottom when she moved to London at 16 to pursue her dream of becoming a model. The industry demanded that she lose weight and even consider a breast reduction, which led her to develop an unhealthy relationship with her body and compromise her fertility. In response, she chose to prioritize her health and became a certified holistic health coach. Lane wants to inspire others to continue the conversation about mental health awareness and body standards. She believes that accepting yourself is the first step toward success.

Acacia McBride

Acacia McBride is a model, influencer and digital creator from Starkville, Miss. The 25-year-old is a lover of all things beauty, fashion and philanthropy, and is an advocate for the special needs community. McBride received her B.A. in communications from Clark University in Atlanta and moved to Los Angeles to further her modeling career. She is currently featured in three international campaigns for Sephora for Patrick TA, Beauty Blender and TooFaced Cosmetics.

Nana Meriwether

Nana Meriwether is the founder of Navina, a wellness company focusing on alcohol alternatives. She was inspired to study herbalism after a year-long study into personal wellness and her low-alcohol wine is made in Napa and infused with herbs and botanicals. The 37-year-old is a former Miss USA and a two-time All-American volleyball player from UCLA. Meriwether has written for and contributed to publications like Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and Vogue Australia. Born in South Africa and raised in Potomac, Md., she also worked at ConsenSys, a blockchain accelerator and software company. She is the co-founder of the Meriwether Foundation, an international non-profit organization focused on improving health and empowering communities.

Brittney Nicole

Brittney Nicole is a government contractor and model from Augusta, Ga. The 32-year-old studied psychology at Augusta State before joining the Navy, where she was stationed in Gulfport, Miss.; traveled to various parts of the world including Guam, Spain, Israel and Japan; and worked on projects such as building schools and runways. After completing her contract, Nicole began working for the Navy as a civilian. It was only one year ago that she decided to pursue her modeling as a career. She quickly began to find success, walking in New York Fashion Week and landing the cover for Now Weddings Magazine. Her motto is “Life is too short to not go after your dreams. Your dreams are within reach, so go get them.”

Mahalia

Mahalia is a model originally from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. She has modeled in Australia, London and America for the past 13 years. The 30-year-old is half Maori and Irish, first generation, and proud of her indigenous roots. She co-founded the social activist group Shine4Diversity that challenged the Australian fashion media, highlighting stigmas that surround people of color through empowering imagery and storytelling. She has spoken on panels about her experience in the fashion industry, her polycystic ovary syndrome and body dysmorphic disorder. Mahalia went back to school in her mid-20s and graduated from Curtin University with a business degree and a specialization in communications and perspectives with indigenous businesses. She has a passion for creative direction work and promoting diversity in teams and talent.

Jena Sims

Jena Sims is a non-profit CEO, fashion designer and brand ambassador from Jupiter, Fla. The 34-year-old is the founder and president of HBBQs, Inc. (Has Been Beauty Queens), which puts on the Pageant of Hope™, an international event that focuses on confidence, self-esteem and appreciation of inner beauty for children and teens in challenging environments, and is now considered the most inclusive pageant in the world. Sims attended Belmont University and won her first pageant in 2005, which inspired her to pass the empowering feeling along to kids and teens who need it most. She also developed an annual partnership with her organization and Best Buddies in 2022 where she now serves as the chair for the Best Buddies “Champion of the Year” Gala. Sims has secured partnerships with Steve Madden and Oneone Swimwear to design golf shoes and swimsuits that fit a variety of body types. In her spare time, she travels with her husband, pro golfer Brooks Koepka, and their black Lab, Cove.

Berkleigh Wright

Berkleigh Wright is a technical account manager and analyst from Lawrence, Kans., currently residing in Denver. The 28-year-old earned degrees in strategic communications, business and psychology from the University of Kansas. Wright is a businesswoman hustling in the technology industry while simultaneously working as a Denver Broncos cheerleader. She mentors in the Denver community and works closely with the Junior Denver Broncos Cheerleaders and Dare to Cheer programs, Children’s Hospital of Colorado, Boys and Girls Club of Denver, and Habitat for Humanity. Wright has a passion for reading and started her own book vlog, “Bookin’ It With Berk.”

Published Apr 2, 2023

SI STAFF