A 58-year-old mother-of-two is aiming to become the oldest person to ever grace the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Jodi Harrison-Bauer, a gym owner from Branford, Connecticut, flew to Miami to take part in the publication’s annual open casting call on Friday, July 12, where tens of thousands of women can audition to be featured in the 2020 issue of the publication.
The mom-of-two said she has never felt as confident as she does now in her fifties, and she wants to encourage others ‘that it’s not too late to try something new’ as she aims to become the oldest model to feature in next year’s special edition.
Wow! Jodi Harrison-Bauer, from Branford, Connecticut, has revealed that she is aiming to become the oldest woman to be featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Confident! The mother-of-two, who owns a gym in Connecticut, has never felt as confident as she does now, and she wants to encourage others ‘that it’s not too late to try something new’
Fabulous: Jodi flew to Miami to take part in the publication’s annual open casting call on Friday, July 12, where women can audition to be featured in the special edition
Speaking to the New Haven Register, Jodi said she decided to compete for a slot as a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model when she realized there were no specific age restrictions.
The open casting, which takes place in Miami on Friday, July 12, features no mention of an age limit, other than stating that applicants must be 18 or older.
Opportunity: She decided to attend the casting in the hopes of being chosen to appear on the special edition when she realized there were no age restrictions
The description for the event reads: ‘While we do look for fresh, beautiful faces, SI Swimsuit has always been an industry leader in inclusivity.
‘We welcome all body types, ethnicities and note there is no “industry standard” height requirement.
‘We want to work with models who understand the value of the SI Swimsuit platform and want to take advantage of all that it offers.’
Jodi said, despite her being in her fifties and the majority of the SI Swimsuit models typically being in their twenties or thirties, she has never felt more confident in her own body.
‘I saw there were no specific age categories,’ she said.
That was my loophole to go for it,’ Jodi, founder of personal training center Jodi Fit, added.
Work it! Mother of two children – Elyssa, 30, and Alexis, 26 – Jodi said she wants to ‘break out of the box society loves to put us in,’ which is also the motto of her gym – Jodi Fit
Inspiring: ‘Whether I’m chosen or not. I’m doing this as another way to share who I am and encourage others along the way that it’s not too late to try something new,’ she said
Sweet: Seen with her daughters Elyssa and Alexis, Jodi said she wants to encourage others to understand that their age should not restrict their opportunities in life
Mother of two children – Elyssa, 30, and Alexis, 26 – Jodi said she wants to ‘break out of the box society loves to put us in,’ which is also the motto of her gym.
Despite being eager to succeed in her quest, Jodi said the main reason behind her effort to become the oldest SI Swimsuit model is to share who she is as a person.
Role model: And it isn’t the first time Jodi has shown others that their age shouldn’t determine their success
Similarly, she wants to encourage others to realize that their age should not restrict things they wish to do in life.
She said: ‘Whether I’m chosen or not. I’m doing this as another way to share who I am and encourage others along the way that it’s not too late to try something new.
‘I’m 58 and I’ve never felt so confident in myself.
‘I want to get my message out to all ages, but especially women over 50, to ignore expectations by being bold and stepping out of your comfort zone,’ she added.
And it isn’t the first time Jodi has shown others that their age shouldn’t determine their success.
The now two-time champion only began competing in fitness competitions when she was 40, and went on to open her chain of gyms when she was 50.
So far, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has never featured a woman in her fifties who isn’t a full-time model or celebrity.
Impressive! The now two-time champion (seen in the gym) only began competing in fitness competitions when she was 40, and went on to open her chain of gyms when she was 50
Positive message: The mother-of-two said she is keen to encourage others, especially women in their fifties, to ‘ignore expectations by being bold and stepping out of your comfort zone’
The oldest model to date to have ever featured in the publication is 54-year-old Paulina Porizkova, who featured in this year’s edition.
Wow! Paulina Porizkova, 54, poses topless in a thong bikini for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2019
Speaking about the experience, Paulina – who who first made her debut in the magazine when she was just 17 years old in 1983 – said she was nervous when she was told her photos for the issue would not be retouched.
Speaking on Good Morning America ahead of the publication’s release in May, she said: ‘I was like “gulp”, and it’s like well, I look good for 54.’
Finished photos in the special edition show Paulina looking radiant in a variety of different swimsuits, as she flaunted her toned, trim figure.
Meanwhile, Tyra Banks became the oldest ever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model this May.
The 45-year-old posed for a stunning photo that showed her flaunting her toned physique in a yellow bikini just.
Tyra’s appearance in the special edition 23 years after she became the first ever African American to grace the special cover.