8 Incredible Photos of SI Swim Birthday Girl Mady Dewey in Puerto Rico

We love any excuse to celebrate and uplift SI Swimsuit talent on a regular basis, and today, that honor goes to Mady Dewey, who is ringing in her 27th birthday.

Dewey was named the winner of last year’s Swim Search open casting call after a stunning photoshoot in the Dominican Republic with Yu Tsai. The impressive spread earned her a rookie spot in this year’s magazine, for which the California native traveled to Puerto Rico, where she worked with Ben Watts.

“I can’t even describe how it feels to be a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie,” Dewey stated while on location in the Caribbean. “Like I say it out loud, and I still don’t fully recognize that that’s what’s happening right now. It’s an honor. I cannot even begin to explain how grateful I am for the chance to even do this once, let alone now to get to come back and be a rookie and just to have the opportunity to try something new, try something outside of what I do day in and day out has been such a joy.”

A marketer and content creator by day, Dewey is head of product marketing at Try Your Best, a platform for community marketing professionals. She decided to try out for last year’s Swim Search in an effort to help other women see that you don’t always have to fit in just one box. 

“One of the biggest reasons why I did this was because I felt like [as] someone who works in a tech environment, I didn’t see people that were going after their creative dreams or their dreams outside of just their career, it felt like you had to be placed into this box, like you could only be someone who was smart or career motivated,” Dewey shared. “And I did this because I want women to see that they can do everything that they want. They can break the stereotype of what a person in their industry looks like, and I just hope that I can be that person for other girls.”

In honor of the model and tech professional’s special day, we’re throwing it back to a few of our favorite pics from this year’s SI Swimsuit photoshoot in Puerto Rico.

Mady Dewey was photographed by Ben Watts in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by Ezili Swim.

Mady Dewey was photographed by Ben Watts in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by AANOUKIS Swimwear. Hat by Aviator Nation.

Mady Dewey was photographed by Ben Watts in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by BECCA by Rebecca Virtue. Scarf by Dandy Del Mar. Necklaces by Brinker + Eliza.

Mady Dewey was photographed by Ben Watts in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by isabella rose. 

Mady Dewey was photographed by Ben Watts in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by Gonza. Shorts by Aviator Nation.

Mady Dewey was photographed by Ben Watts in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by RUTT Australia. Shirt by Juan de Dios. Necklaces by ByRoxStudio.

Mady Dewey was photographed by Ben Watts in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by Monica Hansen Beachwear. Bracelets by Nancy Newburg Jewelry.

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