Yumi Nootenboom (born September 23, 1996), better known as Yumi Nu, is an American model. She appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2022, becoming the first plus-size model of Asian-American descent to do so.
Early life
Nu was born in Englewood, New Jersey,[1] on September 23, 1996. She is of Japanese and Dutch descent. Her mother, Kana Grace Nootenboom, is the daughter of Rocky Aoki, the founder of the Benihana restaurant chain.[2] Her mother modeled and brought Nu to participate in shoots as an infant.[3] Nu is the niece of Devon Aoki and Steve Aoki.[4]
Nu's family moved from New Jersey to Maryland when she was seven years old.[1] She has stated that she was one of two students of Asian-American descent in her school, and experienced racism while living in Maryland. When she was 14 years old, her family moved to Newport Beach, California.[5]
Career
Nu began modeling in 2010.[6] She began practicing songwriting at the age of 12, and wrote her first song in 2016. Nu released an extended play (EP) in June 2019.[7] Nu is signed to her uncle's record label, Dim Mak Records.[6]