Mady Dewey almost didn't apply for Sports Illustrated's 2022 Swim Search. Thankfully, she changed her mind, and came out on top in last year's open casting call. Now, the 25-year-old entrepreneur is officially a rookie for the 2023 issue.

Dewey is also the cofounder and CEO of the app Herd as well as a content creator in her own right. She told Sports Illustrated Swimsuit how excited she was about the chance to appear in the magazine.

“I can’t even describe how it feels to be a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie,” Dewey said. “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.”

She also opened up about the photoshoot with Benn Watts in Rico.

“I really appreciate how we just came together and we’re like, we’re gonna make this happen, and we totally did,” she explained. “We’re using so many fun props and like different positions. Last time I was just on the beach, so it’s really fun to just be exploring all around this time.”

Dewey joins other recently revealed stars like NCAA women's basketball champion Angel Reese, NCAA gymnast Olivia Dunne, and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi in this year's issue.

Check out her new photo spread here.