The essence
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Bethenny Frankel has issued a message to the "haters" who criticized her bikini appearance at the magazine's fashion show. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit May 30th.
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A 55-year-old woman revealed in a TikTok video that she had received offensive comments about her age and appearance.
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Frankel walked the runway in a black halter bikini with a cutout front, as well as a daring crochet bikini.
Bethenny Frankel responded to "haters" after the 55-year-old TV host walked the runway for the second year in a row. Sports Illustrated swimsuits May 30. In a new TikTok video, the former star reality show "The Real Housewives of New York City"« issued a harsh message to critics who criticized her age and figure on the Miami Swimsuit Week runway.
Bethenny Frankel attends the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show on May 30, 2026, in Miami Beach. Photo: Getty Images.
Addressing her followers, Frankel dismissed criticism of her second appearance in the star-studded bikini show, explaining, "I'm not trying to be a model, so I'm just going to be myself and have fun." She also dismissed comments that she was too old to pose in a bikini in the show, adding, "Now I know how old I am. I didn't think about last year until everyone made such a fuss about it.".
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Newbie in the world of swimwear according to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie admitted she was disappointed by some of the offensive comments about her figure and age. "The reactions are all over the place: 'Wait, why are you doing this?' I'll do whatever I want," she shared. "But then there's 'Your butt is like jelly.' Yeah, it's jelly. I've already said 27,000 times that I don't exercise and don't want to. Was I going to do squats for six months? No, because I'm not that vain. Go out, show yourself, be yourself, enjoy life.".
Bethenny Frankel poses on the red carpet during the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Show on May 30, 2026. Photo: Getty Images.
Frankel, who walked the runway at the W South Beach hotel in a black strappy bikini embellished with silver hardware and then a daring blue and white crochet bikini, said she's found some positives in the online attention.
«"The only consolation for me is that the haters stick around longer. They're obsessed. They're just unhappy in their own lives," she said. "It has nothing to do with me. They're obsessed with me, and that means I'm doing something right.".
Frankel, who also appeared backstage in bright red swimsuit In a "Baywatch"-style performance, she said that most importantly, her new boyfriend, financier Shane L. Campbell, was supportive and, sitting in the front row, became a "protective father figure.".
Read the original article on InStyle.