Brooks Nader, a model featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, is getting divorce. She and her husband, Billy Haire, who works in advertising, have been living separately for quite some time.
Nader, aged 27, and Haire tied the knot in December 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. During that time, Nader was 22 years old, while Haire, employed in advertising, was 33.
In an interview with People, she shared her excitement ahead of their wedding weekend, expressing anticipation about soon being able to refer to him as her husband. Additionally, she mentioned their eagerness to continue their adventures together, reflecting on the enjoyable travels they’ve had in the past and looking forward to more in the future.
Transitioning from a career in finance, Nader ventured into the world of modeling in 2016, a move that has proven to be immensely rewarding. Her breakthrough moment came in 2020 with her signing by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, catapulting her into the spotlight.
Fast forward to 2023, she graced the cover as one of the four esteemed stars, marking her fifth feature in the iconic magazine. Dressed in a captivating red Matthew Bruch one-piece swimsuit and adorned with oversized geometric bracelets, her presence on the cover was truly mesmerizing.
Brooks Nader, born on February 7, 1997, spent her formative years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, alongside her three younger sisters. During her high school years at Episcopal High School, she was actively involved in the dance team. Following her graduation, she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in finance and financial management at Tulane University, which she completed in 2019.
In May 2014, Nader embarked on her professional journey with an internship at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, where she spent a year honing her skills. Subsequently, she transitioned to Convene Conference Centers, where she took on the role of an operational intern.
However, her time there was short-lived, as she resigned after just four months to pursue a career in modeling, redirecting her focus towards that newfound passion.
Even though her first agent believed she didn’t conform to the typical image of a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, Nader remained undeterred.
In 2019, she persuaded her mom to accompany her to Miami for the Swim Search open casting. Despite facing initial skepticism, Nader’s determination paid off when she emerged victorious, triumphing over approximately 10,000 other aspiring models.
The brunette reflected on the casting process, expressing appreciation for the fact that during the initial casting, judges, including Christie Brinkley, didn’t require her to wear a swimsuit. Instead, they focused on getting to know her as a person, asking about her passions and interests.
This approach, aimed at understanding “Brooks the person” rather than just Brooks the model, surprised her. She likened the experience to a therapy session, where genuine connection and understanding were prioritized over superficial judgments.
Since clinching the Swim Search casting in 2019, Nader has become a regular feature in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, though the cover has eluded her so far.
Her modeling journey kicked off when agent Chad Gavery spotted her on Instagram. Signing with agencies across major cities like New York and Los Angeles, she collaborated with renowned names like NEXT Miami and LA Models.
Nader’s big break came in 2019 when she triumphed in a Sports Illustrated casting call, earning her first spread in Bali the following year. Her career now takes her on globetrotting photoshoots, and she credits Sports Illustrated for boosting her confidence amidst the company of industry luminaries.