At 54 years old, Bethenny Frankel just did something most people wouldn’t dare in their twenties—she walked the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway in a G-string bikini, and completely stole the show.
The entrepreneur and former reality star took to the catwalk during Miami Swim Week this past weekend, radiating a kind of confidence that wasn’t about posing for attention—it was about reclaiming space. It was a moment that broke expectations, rewrote rules, and reminded everyone watching that confidence has no age limit.
“I just wanted to be myself,” Frankel said afterward. “No one’s confusing me with a model, and trying to be one would’ve been inauthentic.”
But if she wasn’t trying to be a model, the irony is that she walked away as one of the standout stars of the event.
While many train relentlessly for a runway debut, Frankel took a more grounded, holistic approach. She didn’t hit the gym. She didn’t count calories. She didn’t stress over the number on a scale. Instead, her preparation focused on inner balance and energy.
“I don’t work out—like, at all,” she admitted. “My only movement is walking.”
She spent the days leading up to the show walking along the beach in her go-to Blooming Jelly quick-dry shorts, sleeping well, eating clean—not to lose weight, but to feel good—and leaning into relaxation rituals like massages and cold plunges. Her skincare lineup was just as fuss-free: a swipe of L’Oréal’s Lumi Glotion for glow, MCoBeauty’s Skin Filter Foundation for light coverage, and she was good to go.
Frankel also swears by her wellness drinks—specifically Nello Supercalm and Dose for Your Liver—to keep her digestion, energy, and mood steady in high-pressure moments.
Before stepping onto the runway, Frankel found herself surrounded by women from all walks of life—fellow models like Tunde Oyeneyin, Jasmine Sanders, Achieng Agutu, and Camille Kostek—who welcomed her with genuine encouragement.
“They told me my body was tea and to own that stage,” she recalled. “I’m tearing up thinking about it.”
The backstage atmosphere, she said, was “controlled chaos—in the best way,” filled with dancing, hugs, and emotional support. It wasn’t about competition—it was community.
This wasn’t just a one-off moment for Frankel. It was something she once dreamed of, but was told she didn’t fit the mold for.