Suni Lee’s name might be lighting up headlines for her Olympic wins and the shocking news of her dual kidney disease diagnosis—rare, incurable conditions no less. But there’s so much more to her than medals and medical battles. She has also made waves in the NIL space back in her college days, ranking as one of the top-paid college athletes! In fact, On3’s list from 2022 of the highest-earning women athletes in college put Lee at No. 2, raking in an impressive $1.5 million through NIL deals. But that’s in the past!

Among Suni Lee’s latest ventures, she’s teamed up with big names like Lululemon, L’Oréal, and GK Elite, and even graced major fashion events like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and NYC Fashion Week. All these brand deals have added to her ongoing net worth of $3 million but Suni isn’t stopping there. Yep, this star gymnast has just stepped into the fashion spotlight as the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model straight from her success at the Paris Olympics and gymnastics world! And guess what? The stunning photos have finally dropped, adding another exciting layer to her ever-evolving story.

On November 3, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit took to Instagram to unveil a sunlit shot of Suni Lee lounging by the pool in a chic brown swimsuit. With the caption, “Introducing Suni Lee, SI Swimsuit’s newest athlete to the 2025 fold! 👙 Suni is one of the best competitive gymnasts, a two-time Olympian and an absolute inspiration both in the gym and beyond,” SI Swimsuit brought the excitement front and center. They invited fans to catch more sneak peeks from her debut photoshoot, captured by photographer Ben Horton, by following along on @si_swimsuit and diving into the link in their bio for more exclusive content.

Suni even took over SI’s Instagram, bringing fans along for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her photoshoot! Wrapped in a cozy bathrobe before her glam session kicked off, she let viewers in on all the pre-shoot moments. Then came the final touches—oiling up for that perfect sun-kissed glow as she rocked a stunning brown swimsuit. As she posed poolside, lounging effortlessly in a chair, every camera lens was focused on her, capturing her radiant vibe. And in between the flashing lights and fabulous poses, she even squeezed in a meal and a few interviews, keeping the day as fun as it was glamorous!

Here’s a fun fact: back in 2017, Simone Biles also graced the SI Swimsuit shoot, and she didn’t do it solo! She was joined by fellow gymnastics legend and three-time Olympic champ Aly Raisman, bringing fierce Olympic power to the brand. Now, with Suni stepping into that same spotlight, it’s like the perfect puzzle piece falling into place—making it all feel even more legendary!

And the fans? Let’s just say they couldn’t get enough! Among the admirers was none other than Mia Mastrov, the college basketball sensation from the California Golden Bears, who dropped into the comments with, “Oh I’m obsessed.” Mia herself has become a powerhouse both on and off the court, balancing her University of California, Berkeley basketball career with a passion for high-end fashion and a professional modeling portfolio.

With an impressive NIL and roster valuation of $371K even before graduating, Mia’s comment felt like an iconic NIL crossover of college stars—from the gym floor to the world of glamour. And that was just the spark! Fans and fellow stars alike swarmed the comments, showering Suni with all the love and cheers she could ever need!

A star-studded comments party for Suni Lee

Oh, you heard that right! Suni Lee’s comments section truly sparkled with star power. And here’s a fun twist: she’s now joining Louisiana State University’s fan favorite, Olivia Dunne, in the Sports Illustrated family. Just last year, Olivia made waves with her debut SI shoot, posing against the dreamy landscapes of Portugal. That shoot became an instant hit, celebrated far and wide! Naturally, Olivia couldn’t resist chiming in on Suni’s big moment, dropping a “SO GOOD!🤌🏼✨” in the comments.

And if the star power wasn’t already at its peak, Tennis sensation Coco Gauff jumped in, adding her own spark to Suni’s comments section with a “yesss😍.” Coco, who’s climbed to career-high WTA rankings as world No. 2 in singles and No. 1 in doubles, has never been shy when it comes to cheering on Suni! Just last month, when Suni was honored as one of Glamour’s Women of the Year 2024, Coco was right there celebrating her too. Safe to say, Coco’s support for Suni is as strong as ever!

Want even more star power? Well, Kamie Crawford, the fabulous host of MTV Catfish, chimed in with her enthusiastic “YAAASSSSSSSSSS!!!! Welcome to the fam, queen @sunisalee 🩷.” And let’s not forget, Kamie is also a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model herself! Another fan added their voice to the chorus, exclaiming, “Stunning!!!! Proud Minnesotan!! 👏👏” Suni, who hails from Minnesota, has truly blossomed into an elite gymnast. Her incredible journey began at just six years old when she stepped into gymnastics classes at the Midwest Gymnastics Center in Little Canada, Minnesota. And now, with all this love flooding in, Suni is more than ready to rock the fashion world!