Who Is Brooks Nader? From SI Swim Search Winner to TV Star
Brooks Nader is an American model, entrepreneur, and television personality best known for winning Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s 2019 Swim Search and appearing on its 2023 cover. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she has since expanded from swimsuit modeling into reality TV, fashion partnerships, and home design.
At 29, Nader represents a newer kind of celebrity: one whose career is built across magazine covers, television, social media, and candid conversations about life in public. She competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2024, stars alongside her sisters in Love Thy Nader, and is attached to the upcoming Baywatch reboot.
Her rise began with a bold self-submission to Swim Search, where she beat roughly 10,000 applicants. That win created a path to repeated SI Swimsuit appearances, including its 60th-anniversary issue, and made her one of the franchise’s most recognizable modern faces.
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Early Life, Family Ties, and the Rise of Brooks Nader
Long before walking international runways or starring on primetime television, Brooks Nader grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Raised alongside three younger sisters, her early life was anchored in a close-knit Southern family of Lebanese-American descent. Her family carries deep local roots; her grandfather, Sam Nader, dedicated decades of service as an assistant athletic director for LSU Tigers football.
After graduating from the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge in 2015, Nader enrolled at Tulane University in New Orleans to study finance. While she initially planned a traditional corporate trajectory, her passion for fashion and modeling pulled her in another direction. At age 18, after spending two years in collegiate finance studies, she made the daring decision to pause her degree and move to New York City to pursue full-time modeling.
Baton Rouge Roots and Southern Upbringing
Nader’s childhood was defined by a traditional, conservative household led by her parents, Breaux and Holland Nader. In her family home, modesty and Southern propriety were strictly maintained—two-piece bikinis were completely off-limits during her youth.
This strict upbringing gave Nader a strong sense of personal drive and resilience. When she moved to Manhattan on a budget, her parents encouraged self-reliance. Navigating the competitive New York modeling scene while maintaining her Southern values shaped the work ethic and bold character that would soon define her public profile.
The 2019 Sports Illustrated Swim Search Breakthrough
Breaking into high-fashion modeling in New York was not an overnight success. Early on, agencies frequently told Nader that her natural curves and look were not an ideal fit for traditional editorial work or that major publications like Sports Illustrated would pass on her. Rather than accepting that rejection, Nader took matters into her own hands.
In 2019, she entered the open casting call for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Swim Search, competing against more than 10,000 applicants worldwide. Her vibrant personality and athletic presence won over the judges, earning her the top spot in the competition.
Following her victory, Nader made her official rookie appearance in the magazine, walked runway shows during Miami Swim Week, and quickly became one of the most popular faces in the franchise.
Major Career Milestones: Runway, Screen, and Business Empire
Brooks Nader has successfully translated swimsuit fame into a multifaceted media and lifestyle enterprise. In our coverage of contemporary media and lifestyle trends at Capital Region Living, exploring how modern creators branch into diverse artistic spaces is central to The 2026 Bestie Awards Culture. Nader’s rapid evolution across television, brand design, and screen acting exemplifies this dynamic shift.
Sports Illustrated Legend Status and SI Swimsuit Covers
After her 2019 debut, Nader became an annual staple in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, appearing consecutively from 2020 through 2025. Her career reached a pinnacle in 2023 when she was named a cover model alongside Martha Stewart, Megan Fox, and Kim Petras. Photographed in the Dominican Republic by James Macari, Nader made history as only the second Swim Search alumna—after Camille Kostek—to earn a cover spot.
In 2024, the publication celebrated its 60th anniversary by naming Nader to its elite roster of SI Swimsuit Legends. By 2026, she continued her creative partnership with the franchise during an editorial feature shoot in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Dancing with the Stars, Baywatch, and Love Thy Nader
In autumn 2024, Nader expanded her television resume by joining Season 33 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Paired with professional dancer Gleb Savchenko, she showcased her athleticism across diverse routines before being eliminated in Week 4, finishing in 9th place.
| Week | Dance Style | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Tango | 18/30 | Debut performance |
| Week 2 | Quickstep | 20/30 | High-energy routine |
| Week 3 (Night 1) | Rumba | 28/30 | Soul Train Night |
| Week 3 (Night 2) | Cha-cha-cha | 33/40 | Hair Metal Night |
| Week 4 | Salsa | 32/40 | Dedicated Night (Eliminated; 9th Place) |
Beyond competitive dance, Nader’s screen career includes a supporting role as Orderly Lisa in the 2018 action film Backtrace alongside Sylvester Stallone. She later secured a recurring role in FOX’s scripted Baywatch reboot. On unscripted television, she headlines the Freeform and Hulu docuseries Love Thy Nader, tracking her life and career in Manhattan alongside her sisters.
Business Ventures and Net Worth
Rather than relying solely on modeling contracts, Nader has built a robust entrepreneurial portfolio. Showcasing style and curation that resonates with modern consumers—much like the standout businesses celebrated in The 2026 Bestie Awards Shopping—she has launched successful lifestyle ventures:
- Home by BN: An interior design and curated home decor label focusing on modern, accessible aesthetics.
- Electric Picks Collaboration: A high-end jewelry capsule line blending vintage inspiration with contemporary statement pieces.
- Brand Ambassadorships: Endorsement deals spanning international beauty, wellness, and luxury fashion brands.
As of 2026, industry analysts estimate Brooks Nader’s net worth between $2 million and $4 million, driven by modeling campaigns, reality television production deals, and product equity.
High-Profile Relationships and Personal Life Navigation
Nader’s romantic life has drawn substantial public attention throughout her years in the spotlight. In an era where celebrity dating is constantly analyzed, she has navigated relationships, marriage, and public speculation with characteristic candor.
Marriage, Divorce, and Single Era Dating
In December 2019, at age 22, Nader married media executive Billy Haire after several years of dating. In early 2024, after nearly five years of marriage and roughly a decade together, the couple divorced.
Transitioning out of her marriage marked the beginning of what Nader described as her “single era.” She was briefly linked in media reports to high-profile figures, including dance partner Gleb Savchenko and professional tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner around the 2025 US Open. In 2026, she began a relationship with acclaimed Welsh actor Taron Egerton.
Brooks Nader on Navigating Public Scrutiny and Authenticity
Navigating modern dating under public scrutiny requires a thick skin. Nader often speaks openly about the dynamics of digital romance, humorously sharing that her younger sisters frequently screen and manage her Instagram direct messages to vet potential suitors.
Reflecting on her journey, she has emphasized personal autonomy, noting that women should feel empowered to navigate dating without outdated social stigmas.
Media Controversies, Modern Transparency, and Cultural Impact
In a media landscape that often values curated perfection, Nader has set herself apart by embracing raw transparency. Modern audiences value honesty in entertainment, an ethos that aligns with the talent recognized across The 2026 Bestie Awards Local People Media.
Brooks Nader and Unfiltered Candor in Modern Media
Nader has consistently tackled potentially awkward or controversial moments with humor and directness:
- Ozempic Transparency: When asked about rapid body changes, Nader openly acknowledged using GLP-1 medication rather than attributing her shifts entirely to diet or workouts.
- Wimbledon Mishap: After experiencing a visible period stain at a high-profile tennis match, she owned the moment on social media, turning an embarrassing event into a discussion on normalizing women’s health.
- Daring Fashion: Her bold, semi-sheer red carpet looks and European vacation wardrobe in Saint-Tropez regularly spark viral style conversations.
She often credits modeling legend Christie Brinkley for teaching her that long-term longevity comes down to showing up on time, maintaining a positive attitude, and remaining unapologetically yourself.
The Nader Sisters and Hulu’s Family Dynamics
A central element of Nader’s personal brand is her relationship with her three younger sisters: Mary Holland, Grace Ann, and Sarah Jane. In Love Thy Nader, viewers follow the four siblings sharing living spaces and navigating careers in New York.
Nader often characterizes their bond as loving yet affectionately codependent, stepping naturally into a nurturing role as the eldest sister while leaning on them for grounding support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brooks Nader
Who is Brooks Nader dating currently?
As of 2026, Brooks Nader is dating Welsh actor Taron Egerton, following her finalized divorce from Billy Haire and subsequent casual dating relationships.
What is Brooks Nader’s estimated net worth in 2026?
Brooks Nader’s estimated net worth ranges between $2 million and $4 million as of 2026, generated through editorial modeling, reality TV contracts, scripted acting roles, and equity in her lifestyle brands.
How did Brooks Nader get discovered?
Nader was discovered in 2019 after submitting herself directly to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Swim Search open casting call, outperforming 10,000 applicants to earn a spot in the annual issue.
Conclusion
From her beginnings in Baton Rouge to becoming a household name on magazine covers and television screens, Brooks Nader has built a versatile career across modern entertainment. Her blend of humor, Southern roots, and business ambition continues to establish her as an influential figure in contemporary pop culture.
At Capital Region Living, we love celebrating entrepreneurial journeys and dynamic cultural figures. For readers looking to discover top-rated local services, dining, and shops across Upstate New York, explore our comprehensive Capital Region business directory to connect with premier businesses throughout our area.
