Alix Earle Struts Her Stuff in a Wooden Bikini for the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Alix Earle is redefining swimwear with a jaw-dropping wooden bikini that’s anything but ordinary.

The 25-year-old influencer has snagged her third consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue shoot, this time in the wilds of Botswana, captured through the lens of Ruven Afanador.

But this isn’t just another photoshoot; Earle has scored a coveted cover spot, joining the ranks of Hilary Duff, Tiffany Haddish, and Nicole Williams English as the 2026 cover queens.

On the cover, she flaunts her curves in a barely-there Andi Bagus string bikini, but it’s inside the magazine where things get truly wild—Earle rocks a bikini top crafted from African acacia wood.

This eye-catching piece ($381) by La Paz features sculpted cups linked with wooden beads that trail up the halter strap. She completes the look with beaded crochet thong bottoms from Andi Bagus, striking poses alongside majestic elephants, zebras, and even a giraffe.

“I’ve learned to push myself out of my comfort zone — getting uncomfortable is how you start feeling more comfortable,” Earle shared with the magazine, embodying her adventurous spirit.

The TikTok sensation, boasting over 14 million followers, first made waves as SI Swimsuit's inaugural digital cover star in 2024 and made her print debut in Jamaica the following year.

Unconventional swimwear has become Earle’s signature style; her 2026 spread also showcases a stunning $3,700 pearl-covered bikini top by Audrey Blake, meticulously hand-sewn with 1,000 real pearls.

In other shots, the “Dancing With the Stars” runner-up lounges at a safari lodge in neutral-toned bikinis by Norma Kamali and Água de Coco, accessorizing with chic bandanas and lug-soled boots.

She even pays homage to fashion history with a modern twist on the iconic 1968 Yves Saint Laurent safari tunic, made famous by supermodel Veruschka in French Vogue.

Despite her success, Earle admits to feeling nerves before the shoot. “I doubt myself, I worry … I’m human,” she confessed, revealing her relatable side.

This year has been monumental for the content creator; alongside her “DWTS” journey, she launched her “fun, sexy” acne skincare line Reale Actives in March and is set to debut a Netflix reality show later this year.