Katie Austin took her fans on a delightful trip down memory lane.
This dynamic model, celebrated for her engaging presence on social media, put a fun spin on a viral TikTok trend that usually tracks romantic relationships. Instead of traditional love stories, she connected this popular format to her personal growth and experiences with Sports Illustrated.
Check out the post here.
Typically, this trend kicks off with a question like, “How long have you been together?” accorded by a set of nostalgic visuals showing how the couple has thrived over the years.
Katie transformed this idea to celebrate her relationship with SI Swimsuit. Her opening slide quizzed followers, “How many months have you been with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit?” showcasing a radiant shot from her 2025 Bermuda photoshoot alongside Ben Watts. The next fun screen raised the question, “Months?” while sharing an impressive photo from her 2022 feature in Montenegro with photographer James Macari.
She glided through her journey with images from Portugal in 2024, the Dominican Republic in 2023, and two shots from 2022 where she celebrated winning the co-Rookie of the Year award, which she shared with her close friend Christen Goff. This recognition marked an essential point in her early career.
The video wrapped up with a look back on her 2021 debut in Atlantic City, which was captured right after she emerged from the brand’s Swim Search casting call. It concluded with a significant slide displaying a snapshot from her audition in 2020—where everything truly began for her.
“From rookie to year 5 😍 inspired by @si_swimsuit… as always ;),” the 31-year-old wrote alongside her glowing carousel.
“My new favorite trend!” SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day chimed in with excitement in the comments.
Since stepping into this amazing franchise, Katie, a Virginia gal, has been a prominent star known for her confidence, positivity, and dazzling energy that her followers adore. She has traveled to stunning places for shoots, all while enhancing her modeling presence year after year.
Beyond modeling, she’s created a thriving career as a fitness entrepreneur. The Katie Austin App, which she launched seven years ago, features over 425 fitness classes and has evolved into a global online community. Her brand emphasizes empowering women to be strong, confident, and balanced, promoting a lifestyle that harmonizes wellness and enjoyment.
Now based in Los Angeles with her husband Lane Armstrong, Katie continues to share her inspiring journey with millions worldwide.
This article originally appeared on www.swimsuit.si.com under the title Katie Austin’s Heartfelt Spin on Viral Social Media Trend Chronicles Her SI Swimsuit Journey.
