Camille Kostek said she is “so happy to be back” for the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, in what will mark her ninth consecutive year with the brand when the magazine releases this May.
Taking to her Instagram Story, Kostek shared photos and videos of the behind-the-scenes of her shoot in Botswana.
“Safari rides to get to each shoot location!” Kostek, 34, wrote, including a clip of her riding in a safari truck through the wildlife-rich area Wednesday.
The former NFL cheerleader modeled a brown one-piece with a cheetah-print, sheer top over it and army green knee-high boots.
Kostek wore a white bikini top and linen pants while lying down on a couch in another image shared by SI Swimsuit.
The models traveled to Stanley’s Camp and Baines’ Lodge, which are located in the Okavango Delta in Botswana and sit on the Boro River at the edge of the Moremi Game Reserve.
The area features 9,000 species of flora and fauna, where lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and zebras roam.
SI Swimsuit shot the 2026 issue over six months, spanning five locations, including its first stop, Botswana, with photographer Ruven Afanador.
The iconic brand announced Tuesday that Kostek, Alix Earle, Penny Lane and Achieng Agutu are returning for this year’s issue, while model Meredith Mickelson will make her SI Swimsuit debut.
Kostek, who’s in a relationship with former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski, is a franchise staple with SI Swimsuit.
The television host was the co-winner of the brand’s model search in 2018, and she landed the cover of the 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue in her rookie year.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
