Kristen Louelle Gaffney is living proof that you can be anything you want to be no matter who you are or what you look like.
The 32-year-old mom of two always had dreams of being the face of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit campaign, however, being 5’6 and a size 6 with no modeling experience made things a little tough — until now.
“I have a vivid memory when I was like eight where I went to my best friend’s house and her dad had a magazine stash. As an eight-year-old girl, you’re like, ‘oh my God, it’s a woman.’ And I saw the SI Swim issue and it had Rebecca Romijn [Stamos] on it, and I just thought she was God’s gift. I was like, ‘oh my God, I want to be here.’ I just couldn’t wait to be sexy. And have boobs,” Kristen tells Celeb Secrets host Juliet Schroder in an exclusive interview. “So I really looked up her and I said, ‘I want to do that,’ but I never really thought I could until [Sports Illustrated] started the swim search. And I just wanted to seize the opportunity.”
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Gaffney first submitted her audition tape for the #SISwimSearch social media campaign in 2019 and then again in 2020, and unfortunately fell short both times. But being rejected never stopped her from going after her lifelong dream. “I knew this is something I needed to do — not just for me, but for other women. I’m a mom, I’m 5’6 and a size 6. I wanted to represent all of these women that I see every single day. So that’s really what’s been really pushing me through,” she shares.
“It’s very cool that [Sports Illustrated] is going beyond the typical industry standard model looks and kind of the connections [you have] and the network your agent is in. I’m not signed to a modeling agency, so I was like, ‘I’m screwed growing up.’ And then I saw this online search a couple of years ago and actually made it to the top 16,” she adds. “I don’t think I was ready at the time. It was a new industry to me. I just had my second child and I was really focused on being a mom and staying home. But I learned so much along the way.
“I tried again last year and it just wasn’t my time. I really just stayed focused and said, ‘this is what I want and I will not stop until I get it. And I tried again this year, full focus with not only SI, but my brand and everything that I stand for and I wanted to stay consistent with that. And I think the SI team really saw that in me.”
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Earlier this month, Gaffney made her SI Swimsuit debut in this year’s special issue, featuring Megan Thee Stallion, Noami Osaka and Leyna Bloom on the cover. Gaffney was one of 38 in the campaign, posing alongside other up-and-coming rookies like Katrina Scott, Maggie Rawlins and Yumi Nu, and models Olivia Culpo, Camille Kostek, Jasmine Sanders, Emily DiDonato, Anitta, Tinashe, Josephine Skriver, Danielle Herrington, Katie Austin and Christen Harper among others.
“On set, there were definitely moments of insecurity. I’m human,” Kristen confesses. “I see these stunning beautiful models and I’m not a full-time booked model. And at some points, you are on a super sexy high and other times you’re like, ‘how does she do this?’ [But at the end of the day], we’re all unicorns. There’s no competition because [we] are all so different.”
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“The entire experience was so empowering, everyone there was lifting each other up. We had sorority moments where we’re telling our deepest, darkest secrets, and I felt so much support. That was really refreshing because as you know, as a woman, that’s hard to find that female support.”
She also walked during the magazine’s annual runway show at the Mondrian Hotel South Beach during Miami Swim Week on July 10th, where she strutted down the runway while showing off her curves in a barely-there bikini.
“To the younger version of me who wrapped the beach towel around herself at parties because she was insecure about her body… Look at you now, sis 💕,” Kristen shared in an Instagram post before continuing with, “At my age, my body type, as an unsigned model, with 2 children, this magical moment would have never happened without @si_swimsuit. I can’t put into words how grateful I am to the entire @si_swimsuit team for making my dreams come true last night. @mj_day & team you didn’t just make my dreams come, you gave me the platform to represent the every day woman, the moms, & the dreamers. I hope I made you all proud. I’ve never been more honored to represent YOU. Thank you SI x @si_swimsearch for continuing to break boundaries & showing the world that we don’t fit into one box. That there are a million boxes & we can choose whatever damn box & however many boxes we want to be in. Because of you, girls will look at these pictures & say ‘I see me.’”
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As for what’s next — the 32-year-old just launched a swimwear line in partnership with Beach Babe Swimwear. Appropriately titled The Kristen Louelle Collection, the confidence-boosting collab is designed to make women of all shapes and sizes feel sexy. The bright suits pay tribute to the 90s, and their stretchy fabric makes each piece adjust to any body type, helping accentuate your best assets.
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She’ll also continue to raise her two sons while balancing it all, in addition to cheering on her NFL running back husband Tyler Gaffney in Boston, as he just signed a new deal with the New England Patriots.
To learn more about Kristen’s journey, watch our full interview below and don’t forget to keep up with the model by giving her a follow on Instagram at @kristenlouelle.
You can vote for Kristen to be this year’s #SISwimSearch 2021 winner here. Voting ends on Monday, August 2nd.
