Jena Sims back for round three as 2026 swim feature details emerge
jena sims is set to appear again in the upcoming 2026 swim issue lineup, with a third shoot now confirmed and fresh details on the location and creative team. The announcement was made on Tuesday, March 31 (ET), as a new group of rookies and returning names were unveiled for the 2026 issue. The latest update places the new shoot in Fort Myers, Florida, as jena sims returns as the reigning Rookie of the Year.
What was announced on March 31 (ET)
On Tuesday, March 31 (ET), a new list of models set to be featured in the upcoming 2026 issue was debuted, following earlier announcements tied to shoots in Botswana and Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The list included returning models Katie Austin, Christen Goff, Jasmine Sanders, and Ellie Thumann, alongside rookies Gabi Moura and Olandria.
Also included on that list: the reigning Rookie of the Year, jena sims, marking another return as she heads into what is described as her third feature “in the fold. ”
Jena Sims 2026 shoot: Fort Myers location and photographer confirmed
The 2026 shoot is set in Fort Myers, Florida, where Sims traveled with the swim team for the assignment. The third feature was captured by photographer Katherine Goguen.
The report characterizes the Sunshine State shoot as promising “plenty of fashion-forward swim looks in fun locations, ” while emphasizing that the 2026 feature arrives after two prior shoots: a debut in Mexico in 2024 and a sophomore shoot in 2025 on the shores of Bermuda.
Runway appearances and the look back at her Rookie of the Year shoot
In addition to the photo shoots, Sims also walked in the 2024 and 2025 runway shows during Swim Week in Miami. The 2024 appearance was noted for her walking the catwalk while eight months pregnant with her son, Crew.
As attention shifts to the upcoming newsstand release, the coverage also points back to the 2024 shoot that earned Sims the Rookie of the Year title. That debut followed Sims being named one of the co-winners of the 2023 Swim Search open casting call.
What’s next
The 2026 issue rollout now moves from announcements into the next phase: spotlighting the newest group of rookies and returning names while teasing the locations and visual direction of each shoot. With a Fort Myers assignment already tied to Sims and photographed by Katherine Goguen, the next developments to watch are additional creative details and the timing of when the 2026 feature reaches newsstands—along with how jena sims is presented in her third appearance.
