Digital media powerhouse and elite content creator Haley Baylee has officially solidified her return to the legacy modeling ranks, rejoining the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit franchise for its highly anticipated 2026 issue.
The 32-year-old influencer—who commands a massive digital audience of over 32 million followers across major social media channels—traveled to the serene, biodiverse shores of Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico, for her official 2026 pictorial.
This milestone marks her triumphant return to the Sports Illustrated brand after a five-year editorial hiatus.
The 2026 Loreto Campaign Details
The publication formally announced its latest editorial lineup during a widespread digital reveal.
Captured through the lens of veteran fashion photographer James Macari, the sun-drenched Mexico portfolio places Baylee alongside a star-studded roster of contemporary sports and entertainment figures.
The 2026 Loreto roster consists of:
For her grand return, the former biomedical sciences graduate modeled a series of high-fashion pieces, including an eye-popping, structured red one-piece swimsuit adorned with floral detailing along the bustline.
Baylee’s high-profile return to the modeling spotlight coincides with an active legal separation from her ex-husband, former NFL offensive tackle Matt Kalil.
The couple originally wed in Hawaii in 2015 before Baylee filed for divorce in 2022.
The transition back to editorial modeling follows a highly publicised civil lawsuit filed by Kalil regarding statements made during a 2025 digital livestream appearance.
Despite the ongoing litigation, legal documents obtained by industry outlets show Baylee has actively moved forward with her professional obligations, establishing her presence as a regular host and top digital creator on the international entertainment circuit.
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| HALEY BAYLEE'S SI SWIMSUIT TIMELINE |
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| 2018 | Co-Winner of the Inaugural Swim Search |
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| 2019 | Rookie Feature Shoot in Kenya |
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| 2020 | Sophomore Pictorial on Scrub Island, BVI |
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| 2021 | Neon-Themed Campaign in Hollywood, Florida|
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| 2026 | Official Return Shoot in Loreto, Mexico |
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The Vibrant 2021 Florida Precursor
To fully contextualize Baylee’s editorial homecoming, brand historians have revisited her final creative project with the magazine prior to her multi-year break: her neon-drenched 2021 shoot in Hollywood, Florida.
The 2021 Florida production served as a critical stylistic pivot for the model, also photographed by James Macari.
The creative direction leaned heavily into vibrant, saturated neon palettes, sourcing high-end swimwear selections from luxury resort wear designers including Frankies Bikinis, Agent Provocateur, FISCH, and Andi Bagus.
The shoot showcased an eclectic variety of avant-garde cuts, ranging from minimalist string bikinis to structural monokinis.
While on location for that legacy shoot, Baylee candidly addressed the psychological hurdles of stepping onto major industry sets, opening up about her personal experiences with imposter syndrome.
She revealed her strategy for maintaining confidence during first-shot anxieties, telling production crews that she intentionally channels the runway personas of iconic supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum, and Elle Macpherson to settle her nerves and deliver elite professional results.
With her official return to the 2026 issue, Baylee continues to successfully bridge the gap between digital content creation and legacy print modeling, maintaining her standing as a prominent voice for multi-hyphenate women in media.