5 Breathtaking Photos of 2018 Rookie of the Year Alexis Ren in Aruba

From the ballet studio to the beach, the model stuns in impressive show of skill.

Martha Zaytoun | Jul 23, 2023

Alexis Ren.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

In 2018, Alexis Ren made her SI Swimsuit debut with photographer Yu Tsai in Aruba. The model and internet personality certainly made a splash on her Caribbean vacation, securing her title of Rookie of the Year.

Long before posing for photoshoots, though, the 26-year-old utilized her talents in a different sort of studio, taking ballet lessons as a child.

“The theme for this vacation was dance inspired, which I got really excited about because I trained as a ballerina,” she explained on set. “I was stretching, trying to prepare, and they had me do some jumps that I haven’t done in quite a while,” she laughingly added.

The one-time SI Swim model certainly made her mark during the shoot, flexing her impressive ballet skills and having fun on the sand. But more importantly, she touched on the impact that the experience had on her.

“My favorite thing about these shoots, and especially Sports Illustrated, is the people. I love learning through people, I love meeting people I can look up to. And to be a part of something so powerful and so sexy is a dream. A complete dream.”

Check out five of our favorite photos from the tropical ballet-inspired shoot.

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Published Jul 23, 2023

MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a Lifestyle & Trending News writer for SI Swimsuit. Before joining the team, Martha worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Martha loves to watercolor and oil paint, run or water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.