Model Nina Cash has a message to all who might think their best days are behind them after being named the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie at the age of 57, landing a spot in the iconic upcoming issue after going gray.
The retired university associate dean from California told Fox News she was shocked to hear the news, adding that her “heart just started pounding” and she got tears in her eyes.
“To this day I still pinch myself. Is this even happening to me?” Cash said. “Just a year and a half ago, I was an associate dean at a university. Now I’m a rookie who’s going to be on the 60th anniversary issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.”
One on One with Nina Cash – The 50-Something Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model https://t.co/x5qr73BykU
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Cash said her husband encouraged her to enter the competition because it was something she really wanted to do. And now the advice she shares with other aging fifty-somethings nervous about following their dreams: “There are always going to be critics, no matter what you do…”
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“But if you stay true to yourself and block that out, you’re going to be happy,” the model said. “I like to say it’s none of my business what people think of me or what other people say of me… If you’re a light that shines bright, people who are unhealed [will] be negatively affected by that light. I say shine bright anyway.”
“Live life and embrace all the different stages of it,” she added. “Embrace the heartaches, the bad stuff, the good things – that’s what life is all about. And if you’re lucky to live a long life, then you are very fortunate. It’s an absolute privilege to grow old… And I think in America, we have this stigma that when you’re old, you’re not sexy anymore. You’re washed up. You’re frail. I think my generation… we don’t feel that way. We don’t look that way. We take care of ourselves. We pride ourselves in our health and being kind, loving and supportive.”
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“So for me to turn gray, if I’m inspiring people, then I am happy,” Cash continued. “The gift of being alive is not given to many. It is cut short. So do it – wear that bikini. Who cares what anyone else thinks? Run out in the rain and dance in the rain in your bikini and love life. It’s all good. Life is too short. Let’s enjoy it and embrace it.”