Bethenny Frankel is addressing the controversy surrounding her recent SI Swimsuit Runway appearance.
The former Real Housewives of New York City star hit the catwalk on Saturday, May 31, modeling a series of bikinis.
Frankel, 54, first stepped out in a pink polka-dot two-piece that showed off her toned physique. Later, she rocked a leopard-print one-piece, accessorized with chunky bangles.
While many praised her looks, critics quickly took to social media to share their opinions — and Frankel didn’t stay silent on the matter.
On Monday, June 2, she responded to the harsh comments in an Instagram video. “So I guess we have to discuss what I looked like on that runway because the internet is so fascinated with my age, my weight, my face, my hair,” she said.
“I can tell you with great certainty that every woman who was on that stage did not look that way two hours prior,” referring to the glam, contouring and lighting involved behind the scenes.
Before her latest video, Frankel shared BTS footage and posted her runway walk on TikTok for her millions of followers. In the clip, the mogul appears fully glammed, dressed in a white robe before she takes the stage.
@bethennyfrankel This B came to work tonight @Sports Illustrated Swimsuit #mother #swim #runway #miamiswimweek #swimsuitmodel #sportsillustrated ♬ Call Me Mother - RuPaul
Frankel further emphasized in her Instagram video that she didn’t do any crash dieting or intense workouts to prep. “I have a good relationship with food and exercise,” she said while also acknowledging that wasn’t always the case.
In her early 30s, Frankel shared, she was 25 pounds heavier and struggled with bingeing and restriction dieting. “I was fixated and obsessed,” she admitted.
“My body is natural,” she continued. “I don’t do weights. And the reason my body is natural is because the exercise I do — and have always done — is natural. I’ll go months without exercising and definitely days without doing anything, but I always come back to it.”
She wrapped the video on an encouraging note, urging her followers to take a healthier approach to self-care.
“I want you to allow yourselves to indulge without beating yourselves up. Having a good relationship with food and exercise doesn’t mean punishing yourself in the gym or thinking you have to go to extremes. You don’t. It’s healthier to just be healthy.”
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