2023 SI Swimsuit Rookie Ellie Thumann Prepares for Launch Week Festivities: ‘Crazy, Fun, Overwhelming’

The mental health advocate makes her SI Swimsuit Issue debut today.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico.Derek Kettela/Sports Illustrated

2023 SI Swimsuit rookie Ellie Thumann is gearing up for the “biggest week of [her] life,” and her 791,000 TikTok followers get to go along for the ride.

The Arizona native, who is best known for her lifestyle, beauty and fashion YouTube account, began her video by explaining that the SI Swimsuit launch week begins Monday with the magazine’s release.

“I am a 2023 SI rookie, which is absolutely mind-blowing,” she said. “We have a week full of celebrating in New York and in Florida for this. My family is going to be coming, I’m going to be seeing some friends, doing carpets, all sorts of crazy, fun, overwhelming stuff and I’m taking you [followers] along.”

“I found out on January 9 that I was going to be a Sports Illustrated rookie. I was in Charleston [South Carolina], signing my apartment lease when I found out,” she explained. “Two short weeks later, I was in Puerto Rico shooting. It was the most incredible, life-changing experience.”

Thumann included clips of herself cleaning her apartment, packing and getting on her flight to New York in the rest of the short vlog.

“It’s so surreal to go from watching you at an all time low just barely over a year ago to now being such an confident and accomplished person 💕💕,” one fan wrote in an adorable message in the comments.

Ellie Thumann was photographed by Derek Kettela in Puerto Rico.

Derek Kettela/Sports Illustrated

“I’m proud of being the healthiest version of myself inward and outward,” she said while on location in Puerto Rico with photographer Derek Kettela. “When women see my photos, I would love for them to take away inspiration towards letting [beauty] radiate from the inside out, because I think that’s really what makes all of these photos and the whole experience more special.”

View Ellie Thumann’s full 2023 SI Swimsuit gallery here.

Meet Ellie Thumann—read the 2023 SI Swimsuit rookie’s full feature profile here.

Get ready for the hottest event of the year! The 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue is out now, and you won’t want to miss the Swimsuit Issue Launch Party. Secure your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable weekend of glamour, beauty and fun.

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