Kelly Rohrbach Swimsuit Photos - Leonardo DiCaprio Kelly Rohrbach Relationship

Kelly Rohrbach may be known for wearing itty-bitty bikinis on the pages of Sports Illustrated, but she's used that fame to land the ultimate swimsuit gig: she'll don the red maillot that Pamela Anderson made famous as Baywatch's CJ Parker when Rohrbach takes over that role in next year's film remake of the show.

Malibu Beach boys, get ready.

Rohrbach is used to doing more than just posing in front of the camera: she actually started as an actress, with small stints on shows like CBS's Two And a Half Men and TNT's Rizzoli and Isles. But it wasn't until she was voted the 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie of the Year and caught the eye of the world's most famous actor/bachelor—Leonardo DiCaprio–that she catapulted towards pop culture stardom.

Perhaps thanks to her former beau—they were rumored to have parted ways quietly at the end of 2015—the blonde beauty speaks like someone who's had a crash course in media training. She's cautious, but genuine. Don't bother asking about her dating life; she's keen on protecting her privacy. And while she hopes to always lead a "normal" life, that may be beyond her control. Not only does Rorhbach begin filming Baywatch this week, she also has a part in a Woody Allen film, due out this year. 

One look at Rohrbach's Instagram—a marketing tool she has embraced with some trepidation—makes it clear that she's not someone who takes herself too seriously, and she knows her way around self-deprecating humor and sarcasm. In person, Rohrbach's laid-back nature might convince you she's actually from California, not Connecticut. But when it comes to work, she exudes focus and determination in everything—including a sultry swimsuit shoot on a dreary 60-degree January day in Malibu.

So, yes, Rohrbach  does much more than just model swimsuits—but that doesn't mean she doesn't look damn good in one. Below, she catches us up on how she's prepped for her latest role and why she hopes to someday live in a world without social media.

Jan Welters

Opener: Mikoh swimsuit, $274, mikoh.com; Above: Minimale Animale swimsuit, $185, minimale-animale.com.

How did you feel when you found out you were cast in the Baywatch remake?

I was really excited! It's such an iconic role. It's a great crew, fun cast and something I've been really excited to be a part of. I know it's going to be a really fun movie.

Did you watch Baywatch when you were younger?

Oh yeah. It was mine and my sisters' show. We were all pretty young, I was like 10 years old, and we'd wait for our parents to go out on Saturday nights because they thought it was too risque. So as soon as they were gone, we'd be in front of the TV, just sucking our thumbs with our blankies, watching babes like Pam Anderson run down the beach. 

Jan Welters

Agent Provocateur bikini, $250, agentprovocateur.com.

Are you a good swimmer?

I actually am. I was on swim teams when I was younger, and I've always loved to swim. I still like to do laps for exercise.

How are you preparing for your role? 

I've been shadowing a lifeguard at Santa Monica beach. He's my new homie, a really nice guy. He's been showing me the ropes, taking me around on his cruiser. The studio has us working out with a trainer, and we've been taking swim lessons—I'm in the advanced group, no big deal. We've been watching old episodes, and I'm working with an acting coach. Overall, I've just been trying to spend more time by the beach, which is never a bad thing.

What is your workout regimen normally like?

My sisters usually laugh at me when I tell them I'm going for a run, they're like, "Do you mean a walk?" I don't really like to break a sweat—is that bad? I like yoga, or any really mild exercise—I don't like to ever be in pain. I'm not one of those people who's like, "I need to push myself!" Hikes, power walks, yoga—lack of exertion is key.

Jan Welters

Heidi Klein swimsuit, $247, heidiklein.com.

What kind of films would you like to be in? 

I really enjoy comedy, it comes easily to me. I mean, I'm fucking hilarious! [laughs] No, I'm kidding, but seriously, comedy does come easy to me—so it's more fun for me to do that. But I also really like complicated and interesting characters and that tends to come more with drama and serious films. I'm really open to everything right now, sort of doing this all through instinct and what feels right and what feels good, and just taking every opportunity as it comes. Life is more fun when you do a variety of things.

And you also did a movie with Woody Allen recently? 

I'm such a big of fan of his, and working with him was great. He sort of lets you do your thing and only gives direction if he doesn't like the way something's working, which is pretty nice. He's like, "Okay, that's working, keep doing that," or "That's not working, do something different." 

I like it when people give you a bit more rein to do what you want to do. Even with modeling, it's nice on set with photographers who are like, "just move!" It's a lot easier than, "Put your hand here, put your arm here." When something is too controlled it just doesn't come off as natural. 

Jan Welters

Oye bikini, $350, oyeswimwear.com.

Are there any actresses that you really look up to?

I love Cameron Diaz. I've always been such a big fan of hers. There isn't a film she's in that I won't go see. I also love Marion Cotillard and Cate Blanchett—everything she's in is just super special. And I've always loved Julia Roberts.

Who's your dream co-star?

Joaquin Phoenix. He's a great actor and I feel like it'd be really interesting to do a scene with him.

Do you think people might question your ability as an actress because you've also made a name for yourself as a swimsuit model?

Yeah, but I don't really care if they do. After all, I am a swimsuit model. I used to get hung up on that—am I a serious actress if I'm a model? But I don't really care anymore because I've had such a good time so far and I'm not going to limit myself because of how people might perceive me.

What's your approach to red carpet dressing?

Right now I don't use a stylist. I used to be more stressed about what I wore. I don't really care anymore. Now I just treat red carpets the same way I would if I was going out with friends on any other night. Whatever I feel good in is what I'm going to wear.

Do you get recognized on the street?

No, are you kidding me? I hope to never be recognized on the street. I'm super low-key when I'm not working. I walk around in sneakers and leggings and a hoodie all day.

You're not walking around in bikinis all day?

Yeah, people would be like, "I recognize that ass anywhere." [laughs]

Jan Welters

Solid & Striped swimsuit, $148, solidandstriped.com.

Where would you like to be in five years?

Well, I just turned 26. I'd like to have done a couple films I'm really proud of. I want to have a family and still be able to drop my kids off at school and lead a normal life. If my modeling career continues to be successful, I hope I can use it as a platform to either make something, like a product, or for a cause that's important to me. I'd like to use it to help girls in any way. In five years, I hope to be in a place where there's no social media!

So I guess your view on social media hasn't changed since we first met?

No, I think it's created this generation of wanting to be someone else and I don't think that's good for us as human beings. Especially for models, we're supposed to be like, "look how pretty we are, look how amazing our life is, look how fun we are," but the truth is, I don't go out every weekend. I'm at home on a Saturday night, hanging in my pajamas. And yes, you can show that side of yourself, but people aren't interested in the boring and "ugly" parts of life. Overall, it makes people want something that doesn't necessarily exist. 

These young teenage girls see these people and think they're leading the most exciting lives. Sure, I've been at all the hottest parties—they're fun, but I'd much rather be hanging out with my family. Not to mention, social media takes us out of the moment. Everybody is always trying to take a photo, and nobody can enjoy being somewhere anymore, because they're trying to tell the story of where they are instead of actually being where they are.

Do you have a mantra you live by?

I wish it was something cooler, but it's really just, be kind. 

What's one thing that people don't know about you?

I'm a huge homebody. I love hanging out with my family. My brother lives in LA with me right now, and my mom comes out here a lot. I never go that long without seeing my family. I love to have fun, but to me, a party isn't necessarily fun. To me, hanging out in sweatpants with my friends and my family is a lot more fun.

Jan Welters

Topshop sports bra, $20, topshop.com, Onia bikini bottom, $85, onia.com.

Hair by Eric Gabriel at The Wall Group; Makeup by Samuel Paul at Forward Artists. Special thanks to Airbnb.

See a behind-the-scenes look at the sexy photoshoot below: 

[youtube ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9gQ-OAs9bQ&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

Chrissy Rutherford is the Senior Digital Editor at Harper's Bazaar. She cultivated her digital savviness while working as an assistant at InStyle.com, and then went on to be the shopping editor for FashionEtc.com. Chrissy's love for fashion flourished during two summer internships in the fashion closet at Bazaar. When she's not catching up on the latest high-fashion news, covering industry events or interviewing her favorite models of the moment, she enjoys shopping and riding her bike around downtown New York.

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