Inspiring 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookies Redefined Beauty Standards With Diverse Candidates

Published 10/27/2023, 2:49 PM EDT

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In the dazzling world of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, the class of 2024 looked far from the ordinary. These stunning rookies were seen redefining beauty norms and bringing a fresh wave of diversity and inspiration to the iconic swimming outfit magazine. But there was more to this story than just stunning swimsuit photos, as it portrayed a unique blend of diverse role models. Showcasing an eclectic mix of talent and beauty, the candidate list depicted some notable personas, including Achieng Agutu. 

The 26-year-old content creator and confidence coach is currently based in New York, earning unparalleled results with her determination. Remarkably, Achieng’s journey has been as epic as her stunning looks, with her pursuing studies in PR and Spanish at Goshen College. Hailing from Kenya, the young lady moved to Richmond, Indiana, while continuing her educational journey at New York’s Hult International Business School. However, that was not all for this glorious event, as it exhibited several other iconic faces. 

Swimming magazine shoot gains attention for diversity 

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Agutu’s story exhibited her incredible versatility, with her achieving a double master’s in international marketing and business analytics besides appearing for the swimming outfit event. The talented girl’s rise to fame was awe-inspiring, with her first year as a full-time influencer in 2022 earning over $1 million from brand deals. Gaining nearly 500,000 followers on Instagram and over 300,000 on TikTok under the handle @noordinarynoire, Achieng became a powerhouse of confidence and authenticity. She continues to empower her followers by celebrating regular bodies, promoting self-love, and reshaping beauty standards.

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On the other hand, Nina, a retired university associate dean from Long Beach, California, was another miraculous addition to the upcoming lineup. Her journey to becoming a Sports Illustrated swimming costume rookie was a battle of unwavering commitment and resilience. Having dedicated over three decades to education, training, and workforce development, she holds a doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on higher education and adult learning. Nina’s passion for modeling started at a young age but was put on hold due to her strict Catholic upbringing; however, she made a swift comeback to achieve her dreams. 

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Reportedly, Nina obtained her bachelor’s degree at the age of 34, exactly 20 years after graduating from high school. The retired dean’s inclusion as one of the final 12 in the SI Swim Search marked a well-deserved recognition of her enduring dedication to her dreams. Subsequently, Sharina Gutierrez, who has been in the modeling industry since she was 12, was another distinguished figure among the swimming outfit models.

Her extensive career included prestigious collaborations with high-profile brands like Reebok, Rimmel London, Estee Lauder, and Ralph Lauren. Additionally, Sharina’s tale was not just about modeling, as she also played the role of a sound guide, helping people discover their true potential and embrace self-love. Nonetheless, her mission extended as a founding member of Mama Mantra, a family brand launching in 2023 dedicated to spreading positivity. 

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Sharina’s inspirational feats were not only about being a model but also about becoming a voice for anyone who ever felt less than they deserved. While the 2024 Swimsuit Rookies are a diverse and empowering group, many other efficient personalities will join the dazzling crew. Evidently, these rookies were not just gracing the pages of a magazine, hoping to change the narrative of what it means to be stunning and successful.

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Written by:

Sanchari Bhaduri

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Sanchari Bhaduri is a Viral Sports Moments writer at EssentiallySports. Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from IGNOU, she embarked on her content creation career in 2015 with freelance projects. Her previous role involved her serving as a Content Manager for Reddit.
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Edited by:

Arnima Shukla