Model and actress Jena Sims explained how life is all about balance with her husband, pro golfer Brooks Koepka, and their 23-month-old son, Crew.
Sims — who has a cameo alongside her husband in Happy Gilmore 2, available to stream now on Netflix — said that she was very honest with Koepka, 35, about her priorities before they made the decision to expand their family.
“For so many women, motherhood is their calling and their ultimate goal. I totally respect that. But that is one of my goals,” the Sports Illustrated model, 36, exclusively told Us Weekly. “When Brooks and I were discussing having children, I was always like, ‘I’m still going to be working. I’m still gonna have a life.’ I think it’s intimidating to a lot of women who can’t imagine it.”
Sims continued, “I just couldn’t live my life any other way. I’m thankful I found a partner who is very appreciative of that. If anything, I think it’s one of the things he finds most attractive about me.”
After the couple got married in June 2022, Sims has continued acting and modeling while Koepka remains one of the biggest names in professional golf. Despite their hectic schedules — and the arrival of Crew in July 2023 — Sims said things have gotten “easier” for them.
“We’re just such a good team and we’re really good at delegating,” Sims explained. “He can also read a room. If I’m really stressed, Brooks can pick up on it. He’ll come in and say, ‘I’m changing this diaper’ or ‘I’ll do bedtime tonight.’ He doesn’t have to do all that, but he does.”
She added, “I didn’t marry Brooks until I was like 33, so I definitely didn’t settle.”
Brooks Koepka gestures alongside his wife, Jena Sims, and their son Crew during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Sims boasted that their marriage works well because “our priorities are so aligned,” but she acknowledged that doesn’t mean things are always glamorous.
“Some weeks I’m in the trenches with Crew and haven’t showered in three days,” she said with a laugh. “I’m just doing the mom thing — going to gymnastics and trying to get him to eat new foods and changing diapers. And then other weeks I’m in Miami walking during Swim Week for Sports Illustrated.”
Sims continued, “It keeps us on our toes. It’s also important for us because we’re so independent. I’m a secret introvert. I really love my alone time. We just kind of figured out a way to make it work.”
As for her Happy Gilmore 2 cameo, Sims plays a crazed fan of Screech (Fernando Marrero), a golfer on a team assembled by Manatee (Benny Safdie) that’s attempting to take down a team assembled by Gilmore (Adam Sandler). Koepka is a member of Gilmore’s team.
Sims’ appearance in the movie comes nearly 15 years after she had a role as an extra in Sandler’s 2011 movie Just Go With It, also starring Jennifer Aniston and Brooklyn Decker.
“I was a random girl in the crowd in a rooftop bar scene,” Sims recalled. “I don’t even think I was in it. I was probably trying not to be in it.”
