Inside Jena Sims’ whirlwind Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit journey throughout ‘loopy’ Masters week
Jena Sims wasn’t anticipating to study her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit fate throughout a current automobile trip along with her husband, golf star Brooks Koepka.
When touring to Orlando final month to assist Koepka at LIV Golf’s most up-to-date occasion, the 34-year-old Sims a message popped up on her telephone simply because the couple pulled right into a buddy’s driveway for a pre-tournament dinner — days earlier than the subsequent SwimSearch announcement was slated to drop.
“For some cause simply checked my electronic mail proper then and there, and it simply was like, ‘Congratulations, you’ve made the highest 12,’” Sims not too long ago advised The Submit after advancing to the subsequent spherical of the publication’s annual mannequin search.
“I ended every part I used to be doing, I used to be like, ‘Oh my God, I made prime 12.’ And he [Koepka] was like, ‘I like you a lot, you deserve this, congratulations, now what’s the gate code,’” she continued with amusing.
Sims will let you know it’s been “a loopy two weeks.”
Days after studying she had made the most recent spherical of cuts on this yr’s SwimSearch, with the winner set to seem within the 2024 situation of Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit, Koepka captured his second individual LIV Golf title.
He adopted up that efficiency with a tantalizing outing on the 2023 Masters, finishing tied for second with Phil Mickelson at 8-under — after being atop the leaderboard after the primary three rounds of the foremost.
Very similar to Koepka, Sims is having fun with the current second as her journey with Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit unfolds.
“It’s been a dream that I’ve all the time wished to go after,” Sims stated.
With core elements similar to physique positivity and empowerment at the center of the iconic publication, Sims was impressed to enter the SwimSearch because the outlet’s values aligned with hers.
“Since they’ve been extra centered on inclusiveness and physique positivity, I feel that simply so carefully mirrors the mission of the Pageant of Hope,” Sims said of her organization, which goals to boost consciousness and assist younger adults and youngsters who endure challenges to be celebrated for who they’re.
“Every little thing that they’re doing, I knew I’d be a extremely good match for that. So I utilized final yr and it wasn’t my time, however this yr, let’s hope and maintain the ball rolling.”
The 12 remaining finalists will study on Might 12 in the event that they’ve superior to the highest six.
From there, a winner will likely be introduced in September as the primary rookie of the 2024 situation.
Within the meantime, Sims’ buddies — together with Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit alums Kristen Louelle and Summer season Wilson — have inspired her to “belief the method” and savor the trip.
“I’ve a enjoyable core group of ladies who’ve been capable of give me recommendation and simply assist me all through this course of as a result of there are unknowns when making use of for S.I. Swimsuit,” she stated.
Given the gaps between the November 2022 submission deadline and the top-24 reveal in March, Sims’ friends advised her to “be affected person” as updates trickled in.
“They gave me actually good recommendation to only breathe, belief the method,” she stated.
No matter what occurs subsequent, there’s no mistaking that that is an thrilling time for Sims.
She’s curating one other swimwear collaboration with OneOne Swim, which she initially teamed with final yr.
“I’ve acquired neons and sparkles and neutrals, however I feel there’s one thing for everyone,” she stated of the upcoming types.
Although Sims seemed to social media for enter through the design course of, Koepka remains to be her greatest supporter and is “very encouraging.”
The couple, who will celebrate their first wedding anniversary in June, has been capable of spend extra time collectively following Koepka’s resolution to affix LIV Golf final summer season.
“We go to tournaments somewhat bit later within the week than we had beforehand on the PGA Tour,” Sims stated, noting the 54-hole occasions on the Saudi-backed circuit start on Fridays versus Thursdays with PGA.
“We’re touring for shorter quantities of time and he’s enjoying much less golf, so we get extra time collectively and get to work on issues we’re doing collectively as a household and as a pair.”
Golf followers acquired a glimpse into Sims and Koepka’s personal life following an look on the Netflix docuseries “Full Swing.”
Though the episode was “sort of arduous to look at, simply figuring out how a lot” was filmed versus what was proven, Sims is specializing in the optimistic, particularly, viewers seeing a extra “weak facet” of Koepka, 32.
“It confirmed such a weak facet of him, which the world most likely had no thought he was like that,” Sims stated of the four-time main champion, who has battled accidents previously.
“He didn’t cover something or maintain again in any respect on that present, simply to see — this was precisely a yr in the past — the place he was a yr in the past and the place he’s now, it’s unbelievable.”
Together with her Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit goals inside attain, Sims continues embracing new experiences and classes realized alongside the best way.
“I feel simply to be pleased with myself and perceive that there are folks on the market who see me for who I’m,” she stated.
“I feel with the discharge of ‘Full Swing,’ and there’s simply been just a few issues which have occurred the place we’ve gotten some severe backlash, so I feel this has simply actually made me concentrate on the optimistic and actually be pleased with myself and know that I’m doing the fitting factor, I’m doing good issues, and I’m standing up for the fitting issues.”