Bethenny Frankel, well-known for her candid personality and business savvy, recently sparked an online buzz after confidently walking the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway during Miami Swim Week on May 31, 2025. The 54-year-old reality star and entrepreneur didn’t let public criticism slow her down. Instead, she embraced the moment and used it as an opportunity to champion body positivity and self-acceptance, especially for women of all ages.
Wearing a bold pink and black polka-dot thong bikini, Frankel strutted down the catwalk alongside other Sports Illustrated models. Her walk was met with applause, admiration, and—unsurprisingly—some criticism. But Frankel wasn’t rattled. On June 1, she responded with a heartfelt video, showing behind-the-scenes clips and sharing her own thoughts on the experience. Her caption read, “This B came to work tonight,” proudly tagging Sports Illustrated and referencing her role not just as a model, but also as a mom and a woman standing in her truth.
Despite praise from many, some online commenters raised concerns about how her daughter might react to seeing her mom in a thong on such a public stage. Instead of ignoring the commentary, Frankel addressed it head-on, sharing another video from home that same day. “A few miserable people said, ‘What would your daughter say?’” she remarked. “Well, I know because the peanut just FaceTimed me.” Frankel’s daughter, Bryn, was full of excitement and pride, telling her, “Mama! I saw you, you did so good! You have such a good tush, mama.” She even added that her mom looked like she was 30 years old.
Although Bryn couldn’t attend the show due to another commitment, Frankel wished her daughter could have experienced the atmosphere firsthand. She described the energy of the event as empowering and deeply focused on body positivity. “Other kids can be so cruel,” Frankel explained, adding that the runway’s inclusive and uplifting vibe was something she hoped Bryn would embrace and feel proud of. “I want to be on that runway with her,” she said, emphasizing the importance of creating environments that help young girls feel confident in their own skin.
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Frankel also added a thought-provoking overlay to her video: “What would my daughter think of me being in a thong in a fashion show…” Her answer came through loud and clear in the caption: “The answer is proud.” Her confidence and message were impossible to ignore.
In a separate post, Frankel shared a carousel of photos capturing moments before and after the runway show. She took the opportunity to shout out her fellow models and express deep gratitude for the support she felt, especially from her Florida-based fans. The sense of community and acceptance was something she hadn’t anticipated but thoroughly appreciated.
Reflecting more deeply on the experience in another video posted later that day, Frankel admitted she hadn’t known what to expect from Sports Illustrated. She knew it was a famous publication with a yearly swimsuit issue, but the backstage camaraderie stood out the most. Although she didn’t know most of the other women, she was amazed at how genuinely supportive they were. Everyone, she said, was helping one another, offering advice, and lifting each other up. The dominant theme was unmistakable: women supporting women.
While Frankel walked with assurance, she also acknowledged a level of vulnerability. She was well aware she wasn’t a professional model and that she was surrounded by women whose full-time careers revolved around modeling. She openly admitted that part of her feared messing up and embarrassing herself, but thankfully, those fears didn’t come true. Instead, she delivered a confident performance that resonated far beyond the runway.
On June 2, Frankel continued the conversation in another video. Wearing a sleek black cutout one-piece swimsuit, she addressed the public’s ongoing obsession with her age, weight, and appearance. “The internet is so fascinated with my age, my weight, my face, my hair,” she commented with a hint of humor and exasperation. She reminded viewers that no one on stage looked the same two hours earlier. “That’s glam. That’s lighting. That’s contouring,” she explained. She made it clear that, in real life, she often looks completely different. “I look like a train wreck most of the time,” she joked. “That’s me. That’s what I want.”
Frankel also opened up about her body and health journey. Unlike many who follow intense workout routines or strict diets, she revealed that her approach is far more relaxed. She doesn’t regularly lift weights, nor does she stick to a rigid eating plan. Instead, she focuses on maintaining a natural, balanced lifestyle. She talked about her struggles in her early 30s, when she was 25 pounds heavier and caught in cycles of binge eating and restriction. Over the years, she learned to cultivate a healthier relationship with food and exercise.
“My body is natural,” she emphasized. “I don’t do weights. And the reason my body is natural is because the exercise I do and have always done for my body is natural.” She also acknowledged that she sometimes goes months without working out but never criticizes herself for it.
Her closing message was particularly powerful. She encouraged women to be kind to themselves and not to feel guilt when they indulge. Frankel wants her audience to understand that being healthy doesn’t mean punishing workouts or deprivation—it means prioritizing well-being. “It’s time for women to start focusing on and realizing that what’s on the inside will lead to being happier with what’s on the outside,” she wrote in the caption. Her hashtags summed it up best: #loveyourself #body #natural #healthy #age.
Bethenny Frankel’s runway moment wasn’t just about fashion—it was about owning one’s identity, defying stereotypes, and sending a powerful message to women everywhere: self-love is the boldest outfit of all.
