Steve Aoki’s niece Yumi Nu covers Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2022 issue
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s first Asian curve model, Yumi Nu, is making moves.
The Japanese-Dutch beauty, who is the niece of DJ Steve Aoki and catwalker Devon Aoki, covers the magazine’s 2022 issue in a black cutout one piece by Michael Costello x Revolve ($148).
Photographed by James Macari in Montenegro, Nu also modeled bikinis and maillots by Ola Vida, Monday Swimwear, Matte Collection, Nookie Beach and more for her spread.
“I kept on having these moments of awe during my shoot. It was hard to stay focused because these breathtaking views were all around me,” Nu told the mag of the shoot.
“Sports Illustrated was definitely part of this huge wave I’ve been riding right now.”
Nu joins Kim Kardashian, Maye Musk and musician Ciara as cover stars for this year’s issue.
Since her history-making SI Swim debut in 2021, she’s modeled for Jacquemus, Victoria’s Secret, Anna Sui and more.
“I’ve grown very passionate in recent years in talking about the body shame that Asian women and women in general go through, because it was something that was very difficult for me growing up,” Nu wrote on Instagram last year after she was announced as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie.
“I don’t want anyone to go through life with the lie that they aren’t enough as they are. It stops us from living our fullest lives.”
She ended last year’s post with, “WE ARE WORTHY!!! WE ARE DESERVING OF GOOD THINGS!!! LETS GO!!!”
She’s certainly gone full steam ahead since then.
