Nicole Williams English

Early life and modelling beginnings

Nicole Lynn Williams was born on October 30, 1983, in the town of Paradise, Newfoundland. Her ancestry includes both British and Indigenous heritage, which she has referenced in describing her background. Her parents frequently saved stray animals and kept pets during her childhood, an experience that later shaped her activism. Her interest in fashion was cultivated early by her mother, who taught her to sew clothes for her Barbie dolls at age six. Determined to pursue a career in the industry, she moved to Toronto at age 14 alongside her brothers and signed with a modelling agency by 16. To attend castings, she would often travel by bus from Toronto to New York City, sometimes sleeping in a sleeping bag during the journey to save money. Her early modelling work took her to international locations including Taipei, Barcelona, and Cape Town before she eventually settled in New York City to take modelling more seriously and later moved to Los Angeles.

Television career and personal life

Williams English's public profile rose significantly when she joined the cast of the E! reality series WAGS LA in 2015. The show followed the lives of romantic partners of professional athletes, and her relationship with American football player Larry English, whom she had been dating since 2011, was featured. After dating for four years, the couple became engaged in September 2016. They married on May 19, 2017, with Williams changing her surname to Williams English, which is sometimes stylized as Williams-English. Her appearance on the show until its conclusion in 2017 helped her build a substantial online following and increased her recognition within the modelling world as her personal brand grew. The couple welcomed their daughter, India Moon, in 2023 after Williams English became pregnant in 2022.

Fashion entrepreneurship with Nia Lynn

In 2017, the same year WAGS LA ended, Williams English launched her own luxury swimwear brand, Nia Lynn. The brand's name pays tribute to her mother and her niece, and its designs are inspired by the different women in her life. Nia Lynn emphasizes precise fit and high-quality fabrication, positioning itself within the luxury market. Williams English has integrated her personal values into the business, stating she uses ethically sourced and produced fabrics in her products. She has also spoken about engaging in thrift shopping as part of her commitment to sustainable consumption. The launch of her brand was a direct step toward realizing her long held ambition in the swimwear and fashion space, which was closely tied to her modelling goals.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue journey

A long term goal for Williams English was to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, an ambition sparked by seeing Tyra Banks on the cover in 1997 when she was a teenager. She attended a casting call for the issue in 2017. Her breakthrough came in 2023 when, after becoming pregnant, she was informed she had been selected as a rookie for the issue, with her photo shoot taking place in Dominica. Notably, she publicly revealed her pregnancy during Miami Swim Week in July 2022 by walking the runway and showing her baby bump. She debuted in the 2023 issue and later that same year, in December, was named the Swimsuit Issue's Rookie of the Year. She was featured again in the 2024 issue shot in Mexico and the 2025 issue shot in Jamaica, establishing an annual presence. In 2026, she achieved a crowning career moment by being selected as one of the magazine's cover models, alongside Alix Earle, Hilary Duff, and Tiffany Haddish, marking her fourth consecutive year in the publication.

Activism and ethical advocacy

Drawing from a childhood where her parents frequently rescued stray animals, Williams English has become a dedicated animal welfare activist. She serves as the US Celebrity Ambassador for the international organization World Animal Protection. Her advocacy extends to promoting a plant based lifestyle, and she is an official ambassador for the food company Beyond Meat. In her fashion work, she advocates for sustainable consumption by engaging in thrift shopping and ensuring her Nia Lynn line uses ethically produced materials. She has also stated that her makeup and a sizable portion of her skincare routine use cruelty free brands, aligning her personal care with her activist principles. This approach to activism connects her early life experiences with her current public platform across several areas of her life.

Public persona and content creation

Beyond traditional modelling and television, Williams English has cultivated a presence as a content creator, sharing aspects of her professional and personal life with a large online audience. Her social media channels offer glimpses into photo shoots, family moments, and brand collaborations, such as birthday celebrations and family trips. She shares personal details with followers, listing her favourite food as pizza and her favourite drink as iced matcha in a 'ten things about me' style post. This digital presence complements her work as an entrepreneur and model, allowing her to connect directly with fans and promote her various projects and advocacy work from her base in Los Angeles.

Modelling career and industry recognition

Williams English's modelling career, which began in her adolescence, has spanned the globe and established her as an internationally recognized figure. Her professional measurements are listed as a height of 5'9", brown hair and eyes, a 34-inch bust, and a size 8 shoe. Her work has included high profile events like Miami Swim Week, where she has walked the runway for various brands. The consistent annual feature in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue from 2023 onward represents a major industry endorsement. Her selection as a 2026 cover model was reported as a significant achievement for a Canadian model, with media noting her Newfoundland origins. This recognition is built upon decades of work, from early bus trips to New York to international assignments and a strong television presence.

Questions about Nicole Williams English

Where is Nicole Williams English from?

Nicole Williams English is from Paradise, Newfoundland, Canada. She was born there on October 30, 1983. To pursue modelling, she moved to Toronto at age 14 and later worked in New York City before settling in Los Angeles. Her Newfoundland origin is a detail she often shares, including listing it among personal facts about herself. Her ancestry includes both British and Indigenous heritage.

How did Nicole Williams English become famous?

Nicole Williams English first garnered prominence as a cast member on the reality television series WAGS LA from 2015 to 2017. The show featured her relationship with American football player Larry English, which boosted her public profile. Her fame was further solidified by her successful modelling career, particularly her annual features in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue starting in 2023. She achieved a major milestone by appearing on the cover of that magazine's issue in 2026.

What is Nicole Williams English's swimwear brand called?

Nicole Williams English's swimwear brand is called Nia Lynn. She launched this luxury swimwear line in 2017. The brand is named after her mother and her niece, and its designs are inspired by the different women in her life. It focuses specifically on fit and fabrication. Williams English has stated she uses ethically sourced and produced fabrics in her products.

When did Nicole Williams English appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated?

Nicole Williams English appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2026. This cover feature marked her fourth consecutive year in the magazine, following her debut as a rookie in 2023. In that debut year, she was also named the Swimsuit Issue's Rookie of the Year. She was subsequently featured in the 2024 and 2025 issues before achieving the cover in 2026 alongside other models.

Is Nicole Williams English involved in any charity or activism?

Yes, Nicole Williams English is involved in activism, primarily for animal welfare. She is the US Celebrity Ambassador for World Animal Protection, a cause connected to her childhood experiences with rescued pets. She also promotes plant based living as an ambassador for Beyond Meat. Furthermore, she advocates for sustainable practices in fashion and uses cruelty free brands for her makeup and skincare.

Who is Nicole Williams English married to?

Nicole Williams English is married to American football player Larry English. The couple began dating in 2011 and became engaged in September 2016. They married on May 19, 2017, after which she changed her surname to Williams English. They have one daughter together, India Moon, who was born in 2023. Williams English publicly revealed her pregnancy in 2022 during Miami Swim Week.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.