Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search is a reality TV show produced by NBC that debuted in January 2005, prior to the launch of that year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The purpose of the show was to document twelve previously unknown fashion models as they competed against one another for a grand prize. In this case, it was a pictorial in the 2005 edition of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and a modeling contract with NEXT Model Management worth one million US dollars. The twelve contestants were chosen after NBC and Sports Illustrated launched a nation-wide search, processing around 3,000 potential women. The three-judge panel consisted of Roshumba Williams, Joel Wilkenfeld and Jule Campbell. Competitions would include how well the contestants did on their photo shoots and their rigorous fitness tests. Based on these, the aforementioned judges would choose who "made the cut" and who would be let go from the competition, until there were two finalists. The show's tagline was "The business of being beautiful is about to get ugly."

Directed by —, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search leans on a strong ensemble — Shantel VanSanten, Alicia Hall, Roshumba Williams — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about reality titles of 2005.