Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
On Wednesday, it was revealed that formerly retired model Tyra Banks is on one of three covers for the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. The cover was a reminder that the 45-year-old’s still got it:
The moment was also meant to let people know that she is returning to modeling, but with a twist on her name: Call her Tyra BanX. The remixed moniker is for an empowering reason. As she put it, “This is for everybody that has been told that they are not good enough because of their body, their age, their everything,” she wrote. “#BanX is here to tell you that you ARE friggin’ fierce no matter what anybody says!”
That message, and cover, are already empowering people, including fellow stars. Model and TV/online personality Melyssa Ford decided to suit up in a bikini after being inspired by Banks’ cover, reminding everyone that she’s still quite the brick house over 40 as well.
“Tyra Banks did her thing gracing the cover of #sportsillustrated and killing it at age 46,” she wrote. “The world will have women believing they have one foot in the grave after 40. Wellllll, I’m 42 and think I might be doin’ some thangs with this little body God gave me.”
Ford had no qualms about showing off her body again because she’s been building it back up. Six months after her scary car accident late last year, Ford got back to work in the gym, simultaneously working on her mental strength.
“And so begins my Journey… back to health and wellness through fitness,” she wrote in December. “My journey back to a stronger sense of who I am, the hard task of staving off depression through mental and physical challenges. I’m not 100% yet: my coordination is still off; I fall down a lot. My pain levels are through the roof. I’m existing in a body that’s a little foreign to me. I don’t know HOW to be injured. But I’m trying. And all of you, who have rooted for me, prayed for me and cheered me on… YOU are my motivation on this #FitnessFriday.”
The hard work has certainly paid off. Looking good, Mel!
