Swimsuit

Christie Valdiserri’s SI Swim Photo Shoot in Turks and Caicos Made Her a Role Model

Bursting with excitement, she energetically hit the beach and inspired women everywhere.

Beth Sobol

Christie Valdiserri

Christie Valdiserri was photographed by Yu Tsai in Turks and Caicos.

Christie Valdiserri graced the shores of Turks and Caicos in 2020 for her first SI Swimsuit photo shoot by showcasing her unbelievable grace. Captured by Yu Tsai, the collection of images resulted in an animated Valdiserri thoroughly enjoying herself, rolling around in the ocean and doing flying leaps in the air. 

She also wasn’t shy about addressing her clean-shaven head, a result of being diagnosed with alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, when she was 23. “Beauty is so much more than what you look like,” Valdiserri told SI Swimsuit during the feature. “People aren’t noticing my bald look, they’re noticing my strength, my courage, my resilience. That’s what beauty is and that’s what you’re going to be remembered by.”

She also thanked the brand for embracing her uniqueness and making her feel welcome immediately. “No one has made me feel this entire time that something has happened to me or that I have a health condition or that I look different. It’s just Christie and that’s all I want,” she stated.

Prior to arriving in Turks and Caicos, she admitted to being wracked with nerves and anxiety. “I knew this was going to pay off if I could just get myself through it and try to put my message out there,” Valdiserri said at the time.

Today, Valdiserri uses her platform to lift up women and kids facing similar conditions. She’s the founder of Baldtourage, an online community for women with alopecia, and Christie’s Confidence Club, which performs a similar service for young girls.

Here’s a look back at that milestone photo shoot in Turks and Caicos.

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Beth Sobol
BETH SOBOL

Beth is a New York-based freelance writer. In addition to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, she contributes to editorial outlets including Women's Health and Reader's Digest. She also does content writing for marketing firms and private clients. 

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