Bethenny Frankel Steals the SI Swimsuit Show in a Micro Thong Bikini
Okay, I’ll spell this out for you, since you probably need a little guidance on what happened at Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit runway—Bethenny Frankel just delivered the summer’s steamiest moment in a nearly non-existent thong bikini. The Real Housewives of New York alum turned fitness entrepreneur strutted down the Zazil-Ha stage in Cancun, Mexico, on July 16, 2024, daringly pairing a micro black string bikini with sky-high heels and an “I’m here to slay” attitude. If you missed the live stream on SI.com or her own Instagram reveal (where she cheekily yanked one side of her bottoms aside for maximum impact), let me fill you in, step by bewildered step.
Frankel’s look was part of Sports Illustrated’s Resort Fiji capsule, where she joined SI alums like Camille Kostek and Jasmine Sanders. Her ensemble featured minimalist straps that left little to the imagination, and yes, she momentarily flashed what People calls a “cheeky reveal” right as the cameras zoomed in. According to People.com, the 52-year-old entrepreneur captioned her post, “Nobody does it quite like Zazil-Ha ???? Thanks SI Fam,” which racked up over half a million likes within hours. If you’re wondering how this ranks among her past style statements, it’s easily in the top tier of bold bikini moments—and trust me, that’s saying something for the woman who built a trillion-dollar Skinnygirl empire.
You probably *didn’t* realize the significance of this appearance beyond sheer eye candy. SI insiders tell Dotdash Meredith’s RSS feed that Bethenny’s cameo wasn’t just a stunt; it signaled the publication’s push to blend legacy runway faces with reality-TV royalty. By sharing backstage shots of her tightening those straps and smoothing out her signature blonde waves, Frankel reminded everyone why she’s mastered self-promotion: she knows how to work a brand deal and a bikini line all at once. Forbes might’ve covered her business milestones, but you saw the proof of her confidence live, in real time—no scripts, no teleprompters.
Let’s not ignore one key detail: Frankel, a mother of two, used this platform to show that age really is just a number in swimsuit modeling. Each side-strap tug, each dramatic hair toss, made it clear she’s comfortable owning her body—and that sends a message to all her followers about embracing curves, wrinkles, and earned stretch marks. Vogue and People both noted that this was more than a viral moment; it was a brand-reinforcement masterclass.
So there you have it—Bethenny Frankel just taught SI Swimsuit and the entire internet a lesson in boldness, branding, and cheeky theatricality. Hopefully that wasn’t too much to digest, but feel free to rewatch the highlight reel on SI.com. Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Dotdash Meredith RSS Feed, Sports Illustrated Official Instagram
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
