Originally published on 6/17/25

Former Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel recently went mega-viral on social media for her empowering walk in the  Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2025 Runway Show at Swim Week. Following her big moment, the internet was eager to figure out her secret to looking so fabulous at age 54. Well, Woman’s World recently sat down with Frankel to learn what foods she loved to nosh before hitting the runway and what advice she has for other women over 50 who might feel uncomfortable strutting their stuff in a bikini. Read on for more.

Bethenny Frankel opens up about her ‘Sports Illustrated’ runway walk 

On Saturday, May 21, Frankel walked down the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Show runway in three different swimsuits, including a spicy leopard print one-piece. 

“When I saw what Sports Illustrated was doing and the kind of women they were choosing, I said to someone on my team that I wanted to do it. And a person on my team said that I am not what they would want and that everybody had already seen me in a bathing suit. But I said No, let’s try it. And then someone else who works with me made it happen,” Frankel explained. “So Sports Illustrated gave me the gift of reminding me that someone else’s no is my yes, and also that it’s important to be intentional and focus on wellness, particularly as I do reach a certain age and have a daughter and want to live as well as I possibly can.” 

And thank goodness she did, because now women all over the country have fallen in love with Frankel thanks to her courage and strength. She has since inspired thousands of women over 50 to reach for the stars and not be ashamed of their age. 

“I didn’t even know it was a big deal how old I am. I genuinely never think about it, and I think that might be the key to it,” Frankel joked. “Everyone else is so concerned about it, and I’m not. I don’t really even think it matters. I don’t think about it in dating. I don’t think about it at work. I don’t think about it when I’m laughing, drinking, having fun and going out,  yet people still don’t think I’m age-inappropriate. I understand how old I am and the stage of my life I’m in. So I do thank Sports Illustrated because it reinforced so much, it reinforced many things.” 

Bethenny Frankel shares how she got in shape for the runway 

Following her runway walk, Frankel shared that one of her favorite things to eat to help herself get in shape is chicken salad and cottage cheese. Now, both of those items are sold out in stores and have gone viral on social media, which Frankel said is such an honor. 

“What it means to me is people are taking pride in what they eat and thinking about what they put into their bodies and planning,” she said. “I don’t believe in deprivation. I don’t believe in the word diet, and I don’t believe in laboring and taking a long time to do things. I really don’t. And I think what’s going on in social media right now is that I’m seeing many people being intentional about what they’re creating, having fun with it, and enjoying the process. So that, to me, is really important. That’s what I’m noticing.” 

The food Bethenny Frankel loved most while prepping for the runway

Along with her chicken salad and cottage cheese, Frankel has another food she loves: Heluva Good! Dip, a brand she recently partnered with. Her campaign centers around its limited-edition Host’s Hidden Heluva Good!, “a faux potted plant that cleverly doubles as your secret dip stash. It can hold your own personal supply of Heluva Good! Dip and chips, ensuring you actually get to enjoy the best snacks at your own party,” according to the press release obtained by Woman’s World. 

“Well, the concept is that a hostess is often worried about everybody else and not taking time for themselves to snack and just take a moment,” Frankel explained. “When we did the photoshoot for it, I was thinking about how it’s nice to be able to put something that’s delicious with such high flavor right in the middle of a really pretty platter. I am very efficient with how I entertain and cook, because things sound good on paper, and then you really aren’t enjoying yourself, so it has to be stress-free, but you also have to trust what you’re serving. And I think that the flavors in this dip are unique. They’re made with real ingredients and they taste great.” 

To learn more about Host’s Hidden Heluva Good, including how you can enter into the brand’s sweepstakes to try and win one, click here! 

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/bethenny-frankel-how-she-prepped-for-the-sports-illustrated-walk