I’m On the Cover of Sports Illustrated Swim!!!

Okay, now that I'm here and I'm settled, I can tell you guys how I almost just missed this flight to Africa. I think there's moments like this that it just kind of all hits you. Oh, it's on my Amazon! Is this not real? Off to the hair and makeup and the jungle! My best BTS ever. Do I look like Curious George? Oh, I knew I was the best at my life! I'm also traveling to Africa alone, and for the first time. So, I was coming back from my nearest Eve trip, and we were delayed like three hours leaving St. Bart's. So, I was supposed to fly from Miami to Atlanta, and I missed that flight. But I also had another friend who was going to Atlanta, so we went together. That was also a risk for me, though. Like, I wasn't sure if I should stay in Miami, look for another flight, fly to New York, and game time decision. I tried to make it, and I got on this flight with five minutes to spare. Like, I got to the airport, and the flight was already boarding. But we're off to Africa, because what a way to start the new year. We're landing in like 30 minutes, and I just slept that whole time. No sleeping pills or nothing. I was good. Guys, I burned my life, so trying to take care of the hour right now. I can't breathe on like wind in here alone, and I feel so cool. Okay, we landed, and I think the other girls are at the baggage. I think I see everyone. Hi! We made it! So, I'm staying the night here, and then we get on another flight in the morning to go to Botswana. I feel like all the new ain't is sitting, so I kind of want to like get on a treadmill and walk. We'll see. We're gonna have ourselves a little night, and I'm a little panicked, because everyone was talking about like cute outfits that they brought in whatever. And I don't even know what's in this bag, because I didn't have time to look when I was leaving. This is the only bag I brought. It's like a backpack slash just a little roly bag, and I have no idea what's in here. Like I couldn't tell you. I packed this like two weeks ago in L.I. So, if you were wondering, this is all I brought in my suitcase, plus like my toiletries, but this is it. So, I have like one tank top, a workout set, pajamas that I'm wearing right now, and like some flip-flops. So, hopefully that's enough to get me through this trip. I have no idea what's going on. I just showered, and now it's time to stay the night here, and I think I'll be able to fall asleep because I feel like I'm always running a little tired. So, when I get to sleep, I'm fine. Like I don't think I get jet lag too much, but hopefully, I'm not chasing myself. I think it's a really small group on this trip, but I'm so excited, and then we go to our hotel, which is like this lodge. And there's animals on the property, you can see them outside. I don't know if we're shooting with animals, I don't know what we're doing, but I, you know, wait. Okay, good night. Good morning! I slept, which is great, but it's 6am here, so I'm up a little bit early. I'm gonna go to the gym while I'm up, because I think we have to leave right now. I was humming dinner last night at the buffet here, and these girls came up to me, and they were like, "Are you Alex?" And they were like, "What in the world are you doing in Johannesburg?" Like, "Well, how did we just run into you?" And I was like, "I'm on a secret mission right now. Don't ask any questions." Okay, let's go to the gym! Who's ready to go to your bus bonus day? We're ready! Two more plates to go, and we're there. The crew is loading up. Everyone's in airport clothes, and Penny is in glam. I'm ready to go. I would've put like this in place. And look, who else is here? Look who I found. Hi, darling! I'm so excited. It's not gonna be the best report. So, five of us? It is a five of us. Honestly, she's not gonna treat us. She's not gonna treat us. I need to wake up to like an elephant. Oh no, I need to. You're treating me. We're weighing our bags because they can't be more than 44 pounds. Are you struggling? I'm struggling. This is the hardest thing as a fashionista. I have one outfit. I made it here. How much is it? I need to check my bag. How much is it? 20 cents. That's fine, right? It's supposed to be 20. Wait, I thought it was 44 pounds. It's really, really good. Oh, 20 cents. How did you bring that? That's a great question. I'll show you how to make a table. I have three things in here. I don't treat it. It's amazing. I was so scared. I have this tiny ass backpack. What did you think? I don't have anything. Let me tell you, I brought a tank top and a pair of shorts. And that's it. So, I hope someone can help me. I hope you bear. Here we come. Wait, can I take this? I don't think anyone's stopping you. These are so cute. Now, we're going to try this beef. It's a little spicy. Wait, what? This beefed out any beefed turkey I've ever had. This stuff is so good. This is really good. It's like this chili beefed turkey. Do you like that? Yeah. Try it. I love that your meat eater. It's like better than I've ever had. Oh my god. It's like chili beefed out. It's so good. This is delicious. We made it on a flight at two o'clock. I think it's like an hour 45. Smile. That's one away here. We are here. This is a little bit of luggage. It hits people from far away. This is from you. It's just a new life. It's going on. It's going on, you know. Now, please. How do you say beautiful women? How do you say that? It's like a monkey. Massage a monkey. Massage a monkey. It's an official name for a woman. Massage a monkey. A monkey. A monkey. You see many, many, many, many things in here. Yeah. You're not here. Yeah. I love you. Yeah. But it's definitely bumpy. Yeah, but not like. Okay. I'm excited. These are like bigger than I thought. Yeah. Okay. It's happening. It is happening for real. My butt is racing. We're going to hold hands. We're not holding hands. You're that way too. Yeah. I don't love bumps. I don't love bumps. And the one she was like, it's going to be bumpy. We're seeing elephants. I'm hoping to see animals running. That was an on YouTube. They showed this. And they showed animals running. And her bikini. And I was like, oh my god. Oh boy. I love that your video. You can see you can watch it later. Look around the house. You got this. We're already up. You're doing it. You're doing it. You're doing it. You did it guys. You did it. You did it. You did it. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. You did it. You did it. You did it. You did it. You did it. You did it. You did it. Oh my god. You did it. You did it guys. You did it. You did it. You did it. You did it. You did it. You did it. Oh my god. You did it. You did it. You did it. You did it. Let's go. Let's go. You did it. You did it. - Hey. (upbeat music) - Where are you? Where are you? Where are you? Where are you? (cheering) Oh my God. (cheering) - Yeah! - We're elephants, we're elephants. - Oh my gosh! - Whoa! - Oh my God. - The elephant. - I like the necklace. - Guys, that's like a big animal. (laughing) - We're running. - We're running. - We're running tomorrow. - The child of destiny, kids. (laughing) - I love it. (laughing) - I'm so sorry. - Oh my God. - I'm so sorry. - Oh my God, I'm so sorry. - I'm so sorry. - I can normally burn bugs on that now. (screaming) Like this feels a bit big. - Woo! - Boots on ground in Botswana. - We made it. - We made it. - Oh my God. (laughing) - Anyone want some beef jerky? - Yeah. - She's some beef jerky. (laughing) - She's some field swung. - I have a kit here that I have to show you guys after, but I have every, repellent you can think of so these are mosquito nets we have it all in here head flashlight which I hope I don't need Wow this is gonna be so good woo woo bye Steve I got an F-Rine! Yeah! We're off to the lawn to the front of the lawn. I see somebody in the middle. This is not real. Like I can't believe this is a part of a heat field. I don't get it. Oh my god. What eats all of these? Why? They are predators, lions, leopard, chitta, wild goats, hyenas. Oh it's a protecting their baby, yeah. The baby is standing there. Oh I see. I'm gonna need some father of all of them. When you go that guy in there? Yeah, you see it. Same mother, females and there's one male there with the horn. Oh my god, Tony hooks up with them all. Yeah, he makes with all the females in there. But he's not a big bug. Like he's not his thing. No, but he's not a bug. He's a strong one. He's a strong one. But he knows what he's doing. Here's our hotel. We're here. Wow. This is crazy. This cannot be real. There's hippos in there. This is the room and I honestly I don't have any words because I've never seen something like this in my life. Like this is just the wild life out here. Like my bed. I'm hoping to wake up to an elephant. You know I'm getting in the bathtub out here. Like I can't believe this is real life right now. I have my fitting and dinner. So I'm gonna head over to the other place where everyone else is staying for that. But this is my outfit at the night for dinner. I don't have any clothes. So don't judge my outfits on this trip. Good morning. OMG, it's 3 a.m. Okay, so I got like three hours of sleep. I tried my very best. I put on some self-tanner last night, so I have to wash this off. And it's thunderstorm in here. Like, I. Rain, not working, but it's like proper thunderstorming. Like it's been. We saw the craziest lightning last night. I'll insert some videos, but like the whole sky was lit up. Okay, I didn't realize. I told you we were like cubby back from dinner last night, how off the grid we are. Like, there's nothing around us. For like miles and miles and miles and miles and miles. Like, there's nothing. Literally nothing. It's just this little place we're staying in, which isn't even like a building. It's not like a hotel building. It's like just these little rooms that we're in in the middle of nowhere. Like, it's crazy. So I'm nervous that it's going to be pouring rain today. And everyone else is staying for like six days, but I'm leaving because my mom's getting surgery. And so today's my only day here. And if it's raining, and I came all the way here, and it's raining, I'm going to be set. But I think it's going to stop because I just know it's going to stop. But anyway, it's time to get up. We have 3, 40 I am glam. I have to call someone to walk me to the other room because sometimes there's like baboons or monkeys or like lions or whatever outside. And they can attack you. Okay, time to get up. Need to tell myself to hand my hands and not my face. Hello. I'm so ready. We've got like an hour and a half to be at sexy and a bikini here. We're going to pull together. There's still crazy lightening outside. This is crazy. All right, we're ready for glam. Here we go. Do you have everything? Yep. Nope. Not my bikinis. This is crazy. Off some hair and makeup and the jungle. I mean, you just can't make this up. I'm ready for a shoot. Hello. Coffee and hand. Robon. Good morning. I was like, hey, you said glam. Is this good? Because I didn't think you guys would be able to drive over in this rain. Were you soaked? Hey. Hey. So we're having an issue with the adopters. Nothing's working. But all is good. All is great. All is good. We've got our plugs and we are rocking and rolling. Good morning. Good. I'm so excited. I mean, I got like three hours of sleep. But I woke about two because I didn't want to miss my alarm. So I was like staring at the ceiling until 330. But I'm just running on pure adrenaline right now. Like, I can't believe we're here. I have no no idea what day it is, what time. But the sun is up. Where are you flying from? I don't even know. I flew from St. Boards to Miami. Then Miami straight to Atlanta. Then Atlanta to Johansburg. We stayed the night there and then we flew to Wong and then here. So a lot of like five six flights. Easy work. We were also stressed while attacking restraints. I didn't pack anything. They checked my bag at customs and she was like, this all the clothes you have? I didn't bring anything because I was like, I don't know. I was so stressed about it being overweight. I'm a really bad overpacker. So I brought like one tank top, one pair of shorts, flip flops, and then like my skincare and makeup. And that was it. And then when we got here, everyone was talking about cute outfits and I was like, oh, I was just planning wearing the bikinis all the time. So I don't have anything. I'm going to steal looks from Margot. Please title me for this joke because I didn't bring anything. I love the glam. It is so fun. And we did like a really bronzy look. And then for the hair, I was like, I just want like volume and look like a lion. And I mean, the glam team killed it. And I'm just feeling good and ready to go. And this is just one of those moments in life where it doesn't feel real. And I can't believe that I'm here and getting to shoot for as I swim in Botswana right now. So I'm just trying to like take it all in. But I keep just getting the chills. Every time I look outside, like my arm hair grows back because I'm getting chills. So the sun just started to rise and we have like a 30 minute break because it was down for him. But it seems like it's slowing down a little. So they delayed our shoot a little bit. So I'm going to go have another coffee in the room. All right, back in the room. It looks like the rain is slowing down. Okay. I'm feeling good vibes for today. My hair looks like a lion and I love it. And the glam is so good. I is just going to be better. Let's get the coffee going because we're going to need some coffee and just say, oh my god, I mean, come look at me. Looking at the safari. Wow. I don't know if you can see, but there's animals out there. So if like a zebra or something walks by here, I'm going to cry. Cheers. We're going to have the best ever manifesting a really good shoot. I'm like, I like this is my third time shoot at first sports illustrated. Second time shooting for the magazine. And that is just something that like as a little girl, I would have I dreamed of, but like never thought that I could possibly do. So to be here and to be doing this, cheers to myself and cheers to starting off. I said I really wanted to be independent in 2026 and like being alone here in Botswana and just coming on this crazy travel trip and journey and it's just been so nice to even just sit in here alone. Like I am so grateful and I am just so giddy and happy right now. So cheers to me and to start of a new year and to good vibes going into 2026 and to a great shoot day. Cheers. I don't know if I've ever really had a hologram like this. Wow. So delicious. I don't know. Well it's hologram. I mean this view is just crazy. Where's all the hit bows? Are they hiding? Like down there in the morning and then they like come back here at noon, but we literally just saw it. I got 16 foot crocodile. Crocodile? That's like the bread in front of the dock. Sweet. I didn't know that was here. - Yeah, yeah, it's a little scary. - It's like right there, it's not even cool. - Yeah, it's all around the estate. - Up to our first shot. I don't know where we're going right now, but I'm kind of being more excited. We've been able to be on a long day ahead of us. The vibes are good, the sun is up, the rain stopped. We're ready, but it's gonna. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) - First wicking on and we are off to our first shoot of the day. - Here we go. - Here we go for everything. - We'll see you later. - Let's go that way. - Woo. - This is wild. Where are we going first? - Woo. - Woo. - Let's do it! (upbeat music) We just did our first shot and just felt really, really good. And now we're gonna go into our change in tent over here. So don't mind me, we were two out here with the animals. It's so nice out now. I'm so worried it was gonna be raining before it ended up being beautiful. - Oh, what happened? - I felt it. I like scrape my leg on the car a little but not as I had. - It adds, it adds like I've been out here in the safari. I love my cut. (laughing) - You know it's so cool. - She's bleeding. - I'm dying. - I'm giving memories. - Yeah, yeah, it will give a scar. You'll have forever. (laughing) - That shot Alex. - I want to like see everything out of you. - Oh! - There's no doubt, like I'm so excited. - Okay, look too. - Look too. - Oh my god, I know. - Wow. - The light. - And look, this scrape is perfect. It's giving, it's giving jungle girl. - It's giving, I've been safariating hard. - My best BTS ever. - This just honestly feels so surreal. Like I can't believe that I'm standing here with this background right now. I have chills. It's hard for me to even put into words like how much this means to me to be here and to be on this trip and with the group of girls and just with the amazing team. Like this is just a once in a lifetime experience. So just trying to take it all in, mother here. One thing I hope happens on set today is that we get a shot with some animal in the background or just anything passes by. I just wanna see the animals. So I and fingers crossed for that. One thing I hope doesn't happen on set today is, oh gosh, I mean, no scary encounters with animals. Hopefully everyone is safe and we're good and we don't get stranded out here. So the cars are turning on and the gas is working. Okay, let's go. ♪ Let the fire burn ♪ ♪ Oh, we're so lit ♪ ♪ We're so lit ♪ ♪ Let the fire burn ♪ ♪ Oh, we're so lit ♪ ♪ We're so lit, let the fire burn ♪ ♪ We're so lit ♪ Any words of wisdom for your own camera? - Do I look like curious George? - You do. - There's a weed up my crotch. Second shot done, feeling good. And I just love my safari outfit. This is exactly why I didn't need to pack anything for this trip because this is what I will be wearing for the remainder of it. (laughs) ♪ I'm loving when I'm back home ♪ ♪ Gosh, no phrase ♪ ♪ And I'm dead ♪ ♪ And when so I grow ♪ ♪ You know, for sure ♪ ♪ And again, no, I'm no, yeah ♪ ♪ I'm too, I'm too, yeah ♪ ♪ Fade away my team ♪ ♪ I can't not see all of these problems ♪ ♪ Feel like I was ahead of me ♪ ♪ The Hennessy ♪ ♪ No, my brain ♪ ♪ Do it, chemistry ♪ ♪ The remedy ♪ ♪ Go on, I'm too ♪ ♪ Yo ♪ ♪ Fade away my team ♪ ♪ I can't not see all of these problems ♪ ♪ Feel like I was ahead of me ♪ ♪ The Hennessy ♪ ♪ Is in my brain ♪ ♪ Do it, chemistry ♪ ♪ The remedy ♪ ♪ Go on, smoke up on the blood no Emily ♪ ♪ Yo, yeah ♪ ♪ Well, think of it and I get here energy ♪ ♪ Who I need the best of ever seen ♪ ♪ Hennessy ♪ ♪ Do it that's not what I found on my memory ♪ ♪ I'm too fed away my team ♪ (beep) - February. - Yeah. - Hello, I'm here. We are on our way to shoot the 8th of the kidney of the day. And I'm just taking a 10 minute nap. - I'm going to drink from the heart of the doctor. - What? - I have rocks on my chest. A little delusional, might there ever be sleep? Sorry, can you hear me? Oh, we're gonna keep that going. Drops. Wow. Are they nice? Can I get out and take a photo with them? - I don't know, that's a nice figure. - They will run away. - I think they can show you, right? - Ah, yes. - Oh my god. - Look at another baby over there. Yeah, a few months old. I think there's another baby on the other side. These two, yeah, are females. - Yeah. - I'll probably look at the colors. - This is cream. - More brown than the females. The females are more pale. (upbeat music) - Me too. (upbeat music) - Post lunch, we went right back into it. I got on a ladder and then climbed a tree. And that was, I mean, it was a little scary getting up there. I'm not gonna lie, but I was like, I will do anything for a shot, Riven. And I think that might be my favorite shot of the day. And that was in the like, hard shell wooden top that I was wearing. - Okay. - Next stop, we're ready. - We're rolling. - We're rolling. This like really feels like there's about to be a-- - I don't know, I don't know. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) - It's crazy being out here and just being able to shoot in such open land, like we just keep driving another 20 minutes this way, another 20 minutes that way. And there's just another beautiful scene and more animals that we pass by. So it's really just been an amazing day. We're getting like a safari, a photo shoot, and just memories that are gonna last a lifetime all in one. - What's your safari name? - My safari name is Charisma Carpenter. I don't know. So Charisma Carpenter was actually my first alias that I ever had, but it was a little like two out there. Like it seems like a fake name. So I had to end up changing it, but Charisma Carpenter, I would like get all my packages and hotel rooms under Charisma Carpenter. It's my alter ego, safari Alex. (laughs) It's so fun. I actually think these are gonna be photos that like we were just saying like photos that you can like frame and just have up on a wall or like a coffee book type of photo. Like they just are so magical and cool. Everything is so cool here. So I'm just so excited and grateful to be a part of this trip. I mean the day is flying by. I have to say this is by far like the most calming energy I felt on a shoot ever. Like I just feel like it's flowing. Everything feels really good. And just every outfit has felt good, every pose. And I feel like that doesn't always happen. So I'm having a really, really good day. Right now we're taking a little break before we figure out what our next shot is gonna be. So Ruben's kind of just planning it out and then we will get ready and change for that. But I'm excited for the second half of the day. So it's been a 12 out of 10 so far. We're back at the other camp. It's 4.15 pm and we're gonna keep shooting until the sun goes down I think. So a few hours. And I don't want the state of the over. Oh, thank you so much. You're welcome. Well. More outfits. Let me see. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) Last shot of the day. I'm on a biggest skirt. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) - You know what else, amazing, you did? You got yourself a sport so illustrated so we see a 2020-26 cover with Rubin. In Botswana, you know what I'm saying? Congratulations, you're gonna be out in Botswana! (crowd cheering) (crowd cheering) - I think that's why she's gonna last dryers 'cause I'm just gonna show them. - Woo! - But you can't tell anyone. (crowd laughing) - You don't tell anybody, you don't really love that. - Do you want me to pop it in? - I'm a dreamy girl. - I'm trying to take it from you. - The day just got better, the day just got better. - Yeah, it's cover model. (crowd cheering) - Prince cover model. (crowd laughing) - For you. (crowd laughing) - You could trade from the bottle. - Yeah. - You could trade from the bottle. - Fuck it, bring from the bottle. (crowd laughing) - Congratulations, sir. - Yes, you are one of our favorite people. You need so much to so many people. You've absolutely slayed the day. We can all totally confirm that. - Yeah. - You're gonna be on the cover. - Congratulations. (crowd laughing) - I'm like, shaking right now. (crowd cheering) (crowd cheering) (crowd cheering) - How you doing? - I was the best day in my life. I was like, say it all the day. I was like, I knew it. - When you just said that to me, like, I felt my face go like, flush. Like, I felt like it, like hot and red. And I was like, I thought it was like body. - Did I just like pass out after the last shot, or I got bit by something and died? - Yeah. - And I was like, this is my way of getting. (upbeat music) - How does it feel to be a sportswear agency car model? - I don't think I've fully processed it, but I mean, I feel such an honor. And it's such a privilege to be a sports illustrator. Swim suit cover model. Like, this issue is there to inspire others. It's inspired me in my life. It's motivating. I mean, you look at all these amazing, hardworking women. And I just can't believe that I get to be a part in representing that. And all that this issue stands for. And it's just, it's so surreal. Like, I truly can't like fathom it. I'm still processing it right now. It is such an honor. And I'm never gonna stop talking about it. (laughing) Bye. (beep) Oh my gosh, that was the best day ever. And I need to go to bed now. I've already had three hours of sleep. I need to be up at 6am for a safari. So I'm gonna shower and go to bed. Goodnight. Good morning. It's 6.30 and we're going on a safari today. And then I'm leaving already. Where's I came flying on my bed? Where is everyone? Hey. Hi, I'm a safari. Safari time. Great light. This is my first proper safari. Besides our bracket. Yes. (laughing) Besides all the safari and that we've been doing. We're gonna see all the animals. You ever see a lion? A lion? What are you doing? You don't see a lion or a cheetah? I've always seen everything else. Oh my God. But you have to see because I like sleeping guys today. (laughing) Just the end of the day. Tonight, lions. I need like a mating call to them. Come on. You can get me on my knee if you have a mating call. It's crazy. The penning sent a lion yesterday and it was like sexy. (laughing) He was hot. He was hot. No. You're pretty. (beep) It's a zebra tracks. So they are vannaculars in the box as if you want to use them. Oh, I love some binoculars. (upbeat music) Lion tracks. This is lion. Look at the big one. This one. That's you. Yeah. And that's where they were lying down. Yeah, they were sitting here. Yeah. I don't know the name of this. It's a scary deer. I don't know the name of it. I don't know what it's like. It's going to be scary. It's not like that. I was looking for their tracks here. So I managed to see the direction they went. So they went that direction. So from here, we will click them. Let's go. Yeah. Let's go. Lion tracking. Okay. Lion tracking. And that's our national animal in Botswana. Oh, a zebra? Yeah. No. (beep) Hippos. Oh, why did they all disappear in the new game? They don't have the vehicle. What are they looking for? Oh, right. Oh, right. Yes. I love the place. Oh, here they go. Come on. Do it one more time. Let's go. Get 'em. Oh. Oh. It's a little bite. It's a big bite. That was crazy. There's the other stone. I'm just waiting. Made in town of the hippo. Meredith, you on that one? On what? I see in the water. Is he out? I see in the water, but in the shallow water. But are in those things like majorly fast? Like hippos are so fast? Yes. They can do the kilometers per hour in the water. And about 40 kilometers per hour. So they're fast, aren't they? They're so big. People can't swim. People can't swim. They run underwater. They go shallow. They go shallow. Or they dive deep and run on the bottom. Yeah. They run so fast on the bottom of the water. How? I think. What? Shhh. On this night I heard something. That sounds like a lie. Yeah, I did too. We're ready. I'm locked in. I think maybe the lions went that direction. Okay. Yeah. So we're gonna drive around and check on that side as well. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪