Brooks Nader opens up about leaving conservative upbringing for modeling

Brooks Nader, 28, a Baton Rouge native and star of the family reality show Love Thy Nader, describes in Maxim how she left an extremely conservative upbringing to pursue modeling and a life in Hollywood.

Raised in a tight-knit Louisiana home with her mother, father and three younger sisters, Nader has said her family’s values shaped her, even as her ambitions pulled her toward big-city dreams. Her father worked for a nonprofit and her mother stayed home, a dynamic she says produced close bonds and resilience despite financial constraints. She adds that she wouldn’t trade that upbringing, even as she chased fashion and acting opportunities that felt worlds away from her small-town roots. Nader idolized fashion icons such as Cindy Crawford, Pamela Anderson and Christie Brinkley, and she carried those inspirations with her as she navigated a path out of Louisiana. She also remembers the push and pull of wanting to express herself and look sexy while honoring where she came from, a tension she says she learned to manage as she moved toward the industry.

When opportunities began to present themselves, she kept her eyes on big markets. At 18, after connecting with a modeling scout, she set her sights on the Big Apple. She told her parents she planned to spend the summer in the Hamptons for work and internships; they were against it, but she went anyway and landed a finance internship on her own while beginning to test modeling opportunities. The move underscored the push-pull of ambition and parental concern that characterized her early years in the industry. As she grew, she also managed to connect with an agent and decided to leave college to pursue modeling full time, a decision that disappointed her parents at the time. Her early days included working low-paying lingerie gigs and traveling on overnight trains, experiences she says helped keep her grounded and focused on her long-term goals.

She pursued a coveted slot in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, a goal she says her agency initially didn’t view as attainable for her. Undeterred, she pressed for opportunities and attended an open-call audition in Miami after advocating for herself. In a marathon eight-hour wait alongside about 10,000 hopefuls, she was one of six women to advance into the issue, earning the Rookie of the Year title from fans' vote. She says that moment validated the years of hard work and self belief, and she even sent a signed copy of the issue to her former agents as a reminder of what she could achieve when she took bold steps.

Five years after her rookie breakthrough, Nader reached another milestone by earning a spot on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover. She recalls being told by some that she didn’t have the status for SI, yet perseverance and a relentless work ethic helped her prove them wrong. The moment reinforced the message she shares with aspiring models: don’t wait for opportunities, create them and stay the course.

Her rise has been supported by a family platform as well. Nader stars in the family reality show Love Thy Nader, which features her three sisters, Grace Ann, Mary Holland and Sarah Jane. She has said that being a positive role model for her sisters is a central part of her purpose, emphasizing that the family’s bond and collaboration matter just as much as individual success. The show has helped her maintain a sense of family continuity as her career has grown beyond Louisiana into national recognition.

Nader’s personal life has also drawn public attention. She formed a connection with Dancing with the Stars partner Gleb Savchenko during the competition, a relationship that made headlines earlier this year. While she confirms that she is single now, she has described the kind of partner she admires: someone who prioritizes humor, good listening, respect, and support for her ambitions. She says she appreciates a partner who can take initiative and plan dates, whether it’s a car ride or a helicopter ride, underscoring how she values balance and confidence in a relationship.

Before her modeling ascent, Nader’s life included a marriage with Billy Haire, which began in 2015 and ended with a divorce announced in 2024 after five years together. She describes the experience as a difficult chapter that ultimately contributed to her personal and professional clarity as she moved forward with her career.

Today, Nader remains focused on expanding her horizons beyond modeling. She has expressed an interest in acting, describing a desire to portray a version of herself in a film—a Southern woman navigating New York’s wild, high-fashion world. She cites Eva Longoria’s work on Desperate Housewives as an influence, noting that she admires how Longoria has balanced authenticity with entertainment value. As she continues to build on her successes, Nader emphasizes resilience, vision and the importance of family in shaping her path forward.