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March 31, 2026, 7:05 p.m. ET
“Love Island USA” star Olandria Carthen is officially a Sports Illustrated rookie.
The self-proclaimed “Bama Barbie” is a runway model, a Glamour Magazine cover girl, and a burgeoning red carpet staple at award shows. And on March 31, Sports Illustrated revealed she will be part of the 2026 Swimsuit issue, due to release in May.
The modeling gig is “the biggest secret I’ve kept,” Carthen wrote in an Instagram story.
Her first-look image features Carthen in a chocolate brown bikini. In a sneak-peek video posted on her Instagram grid, the 27-year-old is seen posing on the beach in a wet white crop top and shorts as Captiva Island, Florida, waves ebb and flow behind her.
Other outfits include a black one-piece suit with cutouts on the sides, a pale yellow bikini, and a striped crochet bikini.
The former elevator saleswoman shared some insight into what it took to achieve her beach looks when she shared her makeup artist Kimora Mulan’s behind-the-scenes video and wrote: “Weather app said it felt like 11 degrees and I got in the water anyway 🤷🏾♀️.”
In several clips, the crew is seen surrounding Carthen with blankets throughout the shoot. Mulan wrote in her caption: “I’m still in awe of how she pulled this off in that terrible weather we had honey! [Imagine] skipping in the ocean and it’s 3 measly degrees.”
Carthen wasn’t the only model announced; Christen Goff, Katie Austin, Jena Sims, Jasmine Sanders, Ellie Thumann, and fellow rookie Gabi Moura were also confirmed.
More models will be announced at a later date.
Several friends cheered Carthen on in the comments, with singer Chloe Bailey writing: “10s 10s across the board!!”
“Love Island” alumni Pepe Garcia and Andreina Santos also chimed in with their emoji-laden support.
https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2026/03/31/USAT/89410648007-olandria-carthen-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issue.jpg?crop=3103,1747,x0,y252&width=3103&height=1747&format=pjpg&auto=webp
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2026/03/31/olandria-carthen-sports-illustrated-photo/89409989007/
KiMi Robinson
Almontather Rassoul
