Overview
- Frankel walked the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway in Miami during Swim Week, marking her second appearance in the show and following a SI photoshoot in Loreto, Baja California Sur.
- Her runway look drew social‑media criticism focused on her age and body, with some commenters calling her appearance 'age‑inappropriate' or attacking her shape.
- Frankel posted a video on TikTok defending her choice, saying she was there to have fun, would 'do whatever the f—k' she wanted, and directly echoed and rejected body‑shaming comments such as 'your ass is Jell‑O.'
- She remains featured in the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, and supporters including friends, her partner Shane L. Campbell, and colleagues publicly praised her runway appearance.
- Commentary following the exchange has shifted the story to a wider conversation about aging, agency, and style choices for women over 50, with opinion writers noting that visibility can coexist with personal preferences for alternative swimwear like support swimsuits and kaftans.