See the hottest looks at SI swimsuit show in SoBe — including an unlikely star
If there is one rule of Miami Swim Week, it’s this: The Sports Illustrated swimsuit show never, ever disappoints.
Saturday night’s annual shindig at the W South Beach hotel was a looker, as always. Beside professional models like Jena Sims, Xandra Pohl and Penny Lane, other accomplished women in all shapes and sizes wowed the crowd.
The fabulous participants showing off the hottest trends at the SI Swimsuit 2025 Runway Show (think tons of animal prints and cowgirl accents) included reality stars, influencers and athletes.
Leading the charge was Paralympic swimmer Ali Truwit, who lost part of her leg in a shark attack two years ago in Turks and Caicos. The Yale grad proved she was unstoppable, taking to the runway with a prosthetic — and a big smile.
Other athletes in the mix were Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles (who made the cover of the swimsuit issue, currently on stands) and rugby champ Ilona Maher, last seen in town a few months ago, discovering what the fuss was all about at Joe’s Stone Crab.
More honorable mentions go out to “WAGS” star Nicole Williams English; blogger extraordinaire Achieng Agutu; and local influencer Alix Earle, who looks more than ready to take to the ballroom soon for “Dancing with the Stars.”
But the unlikely star of the all inclusive show?
“Real Housewives of NYC” alum Bethenny Frankel, who didn’t come to play, but to slay.
The reality vet, who recently moved to South Florida, showed off the fruits of self-care and good eating habits (e.g, her fave, chicken salad).
Sporting long, highlighted extensions and rock hard abs, the Bravolebrity, 54, strutted down the catwalk in a variety of bikinis, all of them skimpier than the next.
After the event, Sports Illustrated shared a Frankel-filled montage on Instagram and the mag’s followers were shooketh. The commenters, most of whom threw down a lot of “wows” and fire emojis, couldn’t believe their eyes.
“She looks incredible. Dang.”
“OK, so this is what 50s can look like???”
“Girllll, get it.”
On Monday morning, Frankel humbly addressed her fans about how she pulled it off.
“The Internet is so fascinated with my age, my weight, my face, my hair,” she said. “Listen, I can tell you with great certainty that every woman that was with me on that stage did not look that way two hours prior ... there is a lot of glam, a lot of contouring.”
The Skinnygirl founder went on to say in her signature blunt way that she is not vain or fixated on looks. But when she has to go big, she can and will — and you can, too
“If we go in, we go hard,” said the single mother of one. “But otherwise, I like to stay home. I look like a train wreck most of the time. That’s me, that’s what I want.”
Frankel added she didn’t eat anything in particular or work with a trainer to prep for her moment in the spotlight.
“I do not crash diet, I don’t go to a gym, I don’t have a workout, I walk on the beach,” she said. “Everything I do has balance. I self regulate. I have a good relationship with food and exercise. My body is natural. It’s healthier to just be healthy.”
This story was originally published June 2, 2025 at 1:37 PM.
