Golf influencer Paige Spiranac is so much more than just an athlete. She’s constantly defying stereotypes and shutting down the norm that women have to be dressed modestly to be respected—and she’s even become a role model to several other female athletes, who double as social media stars, around the country including LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne.
The 30-year-old made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2018, when she was photographed by James Macari in Aruba for a super fun, edgy and breathtaking photoshoot on the beach and in sand dunes.
“Doing that shoot was incredibly empowering. Having [SI Swimsuit editor in chief] MJ [Day] there to talk me through it the entire time and build me up—I’ve never been in an environment where I’ve had so many women empower me and lift me up, which is something that we preach all the time, but you don’t really see it in real life,” she shared. “It was just such a life-changing moment for me… and I carry everything that I’ve done in that shoot to everything that I’m doing now.”
Spiranac added that she truly felt sexy and comfortable for the first time while on set with SI Swimsuit.
“It was the most confident and powerful and empowered that I have ever felt, and I carry that now,” she noted. “Whatever I do, that’s a big part of me and a badge that I’ll hold forever, being a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model.”