Brooks Nader Connects Swimsuit Cover to Major Career Move
Brooks Nader is opening up about how her iconic swimsuit cover may have manifested her next big career move.
During the advertising presentation for the 2026 Fox Upfront, the New York City Center was filled with star-studded energy as the Baywatch reboot cast made a notable appearance, including Stephen Amell, former elite gymnast Livvy Dunne, Shay Mitchell, Noah Beck and of course, Brooks Nader.
Ahead of the show's highly anticipated premiere, the Love Thy Nader star turned up the heat in the Big Apple, stepping out in a striking structured red mini dress that accentuated her sculpted silhouette and commanding runway-ready presence.
In one of the interviews, the model-actress mentioned the OGs of Baywatch, Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra, adding how honored she was to be "filling in their shoes."
"It's such an honor to pay homage to the original series and the muses of Baywatch," she told Extra TV. "They've been on my moodboard, both Carmen Electra and Pamela Anderson, since I can remember."
Moreover, she revealed how her 2023 cover shoot may have helped lead her toward her character in the upcoming series.
"I feel like I kinda manifested this role with my Sports Illustrated cover," she told Extra TV. "I was wearing the red one piece and I was like ‘This is so Baywatch' and lo and behold, here we are."
The 29-year-old model had her breakthrough in 2019 after winning the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Swim Search, which landed her a spot in the publication's 2020 issue as one of the rookies.
This served as a turning point for her modeling career, leading to consecutive appearances in the magazine and eventually making it onto the cover of the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
Not only did it mark her fifth overall appearance, but also her first cover for the magazine.
As she noted, Nader stunned in a striking red high-cut one-piece swimsuit designed by Matthew Bruch that closely resembled the iconic look of the Baywatch lifeguards on the show.
Three years later, media outlets confirmed that the Baton Rouge native was among the official lead stars of the upcoming Fox series.
Taking on the role of Selene, her character is the "sharp-tongued" Captain of the Zuma Beach lifeguards.
Nader is joined by Jessica Belkin, Livvy Dunne, Shay Mitchell, Hassie Harrison, Noah Beck and Stephen Amell as Hobie Buchannon, the son of Mitch Buchannon, originally played by David Hasselhoff and later Dwayne Johnson.
Fox has officially announced that the Baywatch premiere will be set for January 2027.
Related: Brooks Nader Wraps Up Milan Fashion Week in Daring Sheer Dress
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This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 5:30 AM.