Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, 28, had been working in Queens medical facility fighting COVID-19

A South Carolina model became one of Sports Illustrated’s newest swimsuit models just months after she worked in a Queens medical facility as a registered nurse at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring. 

Maggie Rawlins, 28, answered the call for nurses in New York City at the end of March 2020 after a brief stint on the West Coast.

‘I was working in LA, and I booked a flight back [to South Carolina] thinking it would be a month or so,’ Rawlins, who has modeled for lingerie brand Intimissimi and secured the October cover of Elle Croatia, told the New York Post.

Maggie Rawlins, 28, was tapped in December by Sports Illustrated

Rawlins, who is 5’7″ tall, was working at a Queens medical facility as a registered nurse at the height of the pandemic

‘I had the skill set as a nurse, and it was a responsibility more than anything else… You just hit the ground running. There were a lot of obstacles.’ 

Rawlins, who is 5’7″ tall, wasn’t phased at the prospect of somebody finding out about her additional job, especially as the country grappled with the virus.

As a teen, Rawlins was scouted for modeling but wanted to follow her grandmother’s footsteps and become a nurse.

She had been working as a hematology oncology nurse in South Carolina when she was called by a modeling agency in Miami.

rawlins had been working as a hematology oncology nurse in South Carolina when she was called by a modeling agency in Miami

‘At first I thought it was a bit of a scam, but my nurse manager said to go for it. She said to keep my license active, and if I didn’t like it, I could always return,’ she said.

While modeling, Rawlins volunteered with nonprofit OneWorld Health to keep her credentials. She traveled to countries such as Uganda and Nicaragua, working as a triage nurse. 

It was in December when she received the call from Sports Illustrated.  

While modeling, Rawlins volunteered with nonprofit OneWorld Health to keep her credentials. She traveled to countries such as Uganda and Nicaragua, working as a triage nurse

The married model had to quickly get back in shape as she had been indulging in treats like red wine

‘I had no idea I was even on SI’s radar. I got a call from my agent saying I was up for it. Then two hours later, he said, “You’re confirmed for Sports Illustrated, and you’re shooting in three weeks,”‘ said Rawlins.

The married model had to quickly get back in shape as she had been indulging in treats like red wine.  

The SI model notes Kathy Ireland and Elle Macpherson as her favorite swim models and hopes that her bikini-clad moment brings awareness to health-care workers

‘I did a lot of at-home Pilates and the Sculpt Society app with Megan Roup,’ Rawlins added. 

The SI model notes Kathy Ireland and Elle Macpherson as her favorite swim models and hopes that her bikini-clad moment brings awareness to health-care workers.   

‘I want to stress that I was only there for three weeks, which is nothing compared to the sacrifices they have made,’ she said. ‘COVID hasn’t stopped for them.’ 

Every day this month, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Instagram account is spotlighting a new model set to appear in the 2021 issue, and so far has introduced a diverse cast of women of different ages, body types, and backgrounds. 

‘We met Maggie on her first trip to New York City after she decided to pursue modeling and we’ve watched her career evolve ever since,’editor MJ Day said of Rawlins.

‘We met Maggie on her first trip to New York City after she decided to pursue modeling and we’ve watched her career evolve ever since,’ said editor MJ Day.