Leave it to Emily Ratajkowski to completely steal the Oscars weekend spotlight — not on the red carpet, but at a pool. On March 14, 2026, the model and author dropped a seven-image carousel on Instagram featuring herself poolside at the Beverly Hills Hotel in a plunging red one-piece swimsuit, and within ten hours it racked up over 257,000 likes. Irina Shayk dropped a fire emoji. Love Island's Ekin-Su called her "hottttt." The internet had very few complaints.
Photo via TMZ
The Look: Baywatch Energy, Beverly Hills Execution
The suit in question is a bold red one-piece with a neckline that plunges all the way to her ribs — a very intentional '90s Baywatch reference. Ruching on the sides frames the waist while the hips cut high for maximum leg elongation. It's the kind of suit that knows what it's doing. Photographer Morgan Maher shot the series, and the resulting images — palm trees, cabanas, sunlit pool water — look more like a campaign than a casual Saturday afternoon.
EmRata wore her dark brunette hair in a middle-parted style with face-framing layers, kept accessories minimal, and let the swimsuit do the work. The result was one of her most-shared swimwear moments in years. Fans called her "a legend" and "too beautiful for this world." Standard EmRata reaction, honestly.
The Timing Was Very Much on Purpose
The photo dump landed the day before the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre — a weekend when Hollywood's attention is fully captured and social media is scrolling nonstop. Ratajkowski has appeared at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party nearly every year since 2016, so she knows the weekend's cultural weight. Whether this was a deliberate move or just a Saturday that happened to be perfect, the timing was impeccable.
It also comes on the heels of her going Instagram official with French film director Romain Gavras in February — posting a series of embracing photos that sent her fanbase into a frenzy. EmRata in a red swimsuit, in a new relationship, during award season? She's in her main character era and it shows.
Photo via InStyle / AOL
Why Bold Swimwear Is the Move Right Now
The red one-piece trend is having a genuine moment in spring 2026. Between Baywatch-coded cuts, vintage-inspired silhouettes, and a cultural appetite for swimwear that's unapologetically attention-grabbing, the old rulebook about modest pool looks is officially retired. EmRata's Beverly Hills moment is just the latest proof that the boldest choice is usually the right one.
What we love most about this look is how committed it is. No cover-up. No self-consciousness. Just a woman who knows she looks great in a red swimsuit, documented for the world to enjoy. That's energy worth channeling at the pool this spring.
Get the Look: Bold Pool Vibes Under $40
You don't need a Beverly Hills Hotel membership to channel EmRata energy — you just need the right swimwear. Audi Swim's Bow Babe Contrast Collection was made for exactly this kind of confidence. Think bold color contrast, triangle tops, and thong bottoms that make a statement without trying too hard.
- Bow Babe Contrast Top — Black ($17.99) — A bold triangle top with contrast trim that means business at the pool. Mix with any high-cut bottom for the EmRata effect.
- Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms — Black ($17.99) — Thong cut, cheeky fit, high-rise silhouette that elongates exactly like Emily's high-cut one-piece did.
- Bow Babe Contrast Top — Pink ($17.99) — If you want the bold energy but prefer a warmer tone, the pink contrast top is your match.
- Ocean Mist Maxi Dress ($24.99) — Throw this over your swimsuit when you move from pool to patio. It's the effortless poolside-to-evening transition piece.
The whole Bow Babe set comes in under $40 — and the confidence? That's free. For deeper style inspiration on building your boldest bikini look, check out our guide to the sexiest bikinis for every body type and our pool party outfit ideas for 2026 — because the Beverly Hills Hotel isn't required for a main character pool moment.
More Celebrity Pool and Beach Moments
If you're here for bold celebrity swimwear energy, you'll also want to read about Lori Harvey's birthday bikini trip to Mexico — she packed six different swimsuits for her 29th and zero were boring. And Dua Lipa's gold Oséree beach date is peak spring 2026 swimwear inspo if glittering gold is more your vibe than bold red.
One thing's certain: Spring 2026 is the season of showing up to the pool like you own it. Emily Ratajkowski did it at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Now it's your turn.
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