The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit crew is on a hot streak, and Xandra Pohl is leading the charge with a scorching new look. Dubbed the “next Kate Upton,” Pohl turned up the temperature this week by sharing a sizzling red swimsuit photo that has fans and fellow athletes buzzing.
Pohl, who made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2024, posted the image alongside fellow model Penny Lane, capturing some fun in the sun during Miami Swim Week. The caption read: “The @SI_Swimsuit girls just wanna have fun.” And clearly, the internet is having a blast right back.
The photo follows a major viral moment for Lane, who earlier this week racked up over 19.9 million views on a clip of her runway performance at Miami Swim Week. Lane later shared the moment on Instagram, writing, “One of my favorite moments from Miami Swim Week. If you missed it in person, the full Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway special drops on @hulu June 9.”
But it’s Pohl who is now stealing the spotlight with her latest post. The response has been overwhelming, with former Bachelor contestant Rachel Kirkconnell commenting, “You’re the hottest.” Even LSU gymnastics star Livvy Dunne chimed in with a playful, “I’m no better than a man.”
Pohl has already earned comparisons to the iconic Kate Upton, thanks to her confident presence and striking looks. She’s been featured in every SI Swimsuit issue since her debut, and her recent photos only solidify her status as a rising star in the modeling world.
Reflecting on the legacy of the brand, Pohl said, “The legacy that Sports Illustrated [Swimsuit] has made, obviously in the first 60 years, has been monumental in not just the industry and the world, but also to all the young girls looking up to all the models of all shapes, sizes, races, whatever it is. We are all beautiful [and deserve to be] confident in our own bodies. I feel like that is the best legacy you could ever leave.”
The red swimsuit shot isn’t the only thing heating up social media this week. Other athletes and personalities have been making waves too, including Liv Morgan’s stunning swimsuit shot from Italy and WWE host Cathy Kelley’s sizzling swimsuit video. It seems like everyone is embracing the summer vibe.
With Pohl and Lane both riding a wave of viral success, it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing plenty more from these two in future SI Swimsuit issues. For now, fans can just sit back and enjoy the heat.
