Alix Earle is pushing swimwear boundaries once again, turning heads in a handcrafted wooden bikini for her 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover.

The influencer and entrepreneur, 25, posed for her third consecutive shoot with the magazine, this time stepping into the spotlight as one of the issue’s leading cover stars alongside Hilary Duff, Tiffany Haddish, and Nicole Williams English, as reported by Page Six.

Photographed by Ruven Afanador in Botswana, Earle brought both bold style and natural beauty to the African landscape.

Alix Earle takes a walk on the wild side in a wooden bikini for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2026 The 25-year-old influencer posed with elephants, zebras and a giraffe in her third shoot for the magazine. https://t.co/L7WyU0Wxjn pic.twitter.com/Sb35Jx0zBX

— UnfilteredAmerica (@NahBabyNahNah) May 12, 2026

On the cover, she wears a minimal Andi Bagus string bikini, but it is her wooden design showcased inside the magazine that truly defines the spread.

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The standout bikini top, created by La Paz, is carved from African acacia wood and accented with polished wooden beads.

Priced at $381, the piece features two sculpted cups joined by beadwork that continues up the halter strap, blending artistry with daring fashion.

To complete the look, Earle wore beaded crochet thong bottoms by Andi Bagus. Against a breathtaking backdrop of elephants, zebras, and giraffes, she struck confident poses that celebrated both her adventurous spirit and her evolving career.

“I’ve learned to push myself out of my comfort zone — in fact, I’d say that getting uncomfortable is how you start feeling more comfortable,” Earle told the magazine, reflecting on her journey since entering the modeling world.

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Known for sharing glimpses of her life with over 14 million followers across social media platforms, the TikTok sensation first made her mark on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit franchise in 2024 as its inaugural digital cover star.

The following year, she appeared in print for the first time, photographed in Jamaica.

Earle’s latest appearance confirms her affinity for unconventional swimwear and high fashion.

Her 2026 shoot also includes a $3,700 pearl-covered bikini top by Audrey Blake, hand-sewn with 1,000 real pearls, adding luxury craftsmanship to the mix.

In other scenes, the University of Miami graduate relaxed at a safari lodge wearing neutral bikinis by Norma Kamali and Água de Coco.

Accessories like soft bandanas and lug-soled boots lent each look a grounded yet elevated aesthetic that matched the safari theme.

Drawing from fashion history, Earle also sported a version of Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic 1968 safari tunic made famous by model Veruschka in French Vogue.

The choice underscored the modern-meets-vintage tone that runs through the entire photoshoot.

Despite her confidence on camera, Earle shared that even after multiple magazine appearances, pre-shoot jitters still creep in. “I doubt myself, I worry … I’m human,” she admitted.

Her candor has become a key part of her appeal with fans who follow her every career move online.

The past year has been transformative for the content creator. In addition to placing second on “Dancing With the Stars” Season 34, she launched her skincare line Reale Actives in March, which she described as “fun” and “sexy.”

The brand focuses on acne care, reflecting her own experiences with skin challenges.

Adding to her growing résumé, Earle is set to appear in a Netflix reality series premiering later this year, giving audiences another window into her fast-paced life and evolving career.

Through this milestone Sports Illustrated cover, Alix Earle once again proves her ability to merge social media fame with genuine fashion artistry.

ALIX EARLE SI SWIMSUIT 2026 COVER MODEL#SISwim26 #AlixEarle pic.twitter.com/h2yIFUAcs3

— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) May 12, 2026

Her adventurous wooden bikini moment not only highlights her confidence but also cements her as one of the defining faces of the modern influencer era.