Christie Brinkley and Her Daughters Open Up About Body Image While Stunning in the SI Swimsuit Issue
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Christie Brinkley has been an iconic supermodel for the last three decades, and now, she's returned to the infamous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue alongside her stunning daughters, flaunting their strong gene pool and opening up about their individual struggles with body image. Alexa Ray Joel, 31, and Sailor Brinkley Cook, 18, pose next to their 63-year-old mother (!!!!) in fabulous two-piece bikinis, but Christie explained that to be able to do this shoot with her daughters was a dream come true.
"Yes! I am excited to announce that I am back in @si_swimsuit . . . I figured with my gorgeous daughters @alexarayjoel and @sailorbrinkleycook by my side whose going to be looking at me! [sic]" Christie wrote on Instagram. "Oh and my kids think I walk on water, so let's not mention the apple box concealed just under the surface."
She added, "Thank you Sports Illustrated for sending the powerful message that good things come in packages of every size and we do not come with an expiration date!"
But Alexa and Sailor each opened up about how important it is to love yourself and your body, regardless of your gene pool. Both of the girls took to Instagram to share some advice for anyone struggling with their body image, and it's an incredibly important message to keep in mind.
"I've had issues with my body image since before I can even remember," Sailor wrote on Instagram alongside the photo of her mom and her half-sister. "I grew up not loving how I looked and felt held back because of it. I don't know why I always felt that way, sure I had baby fat and definitely went through a plethora of awkward phases."
Sailor continued, "My body and I have been through it all. But recently I have been liberated. I am healthy, I treat myself well, and for that I'm happy. I've looked in the mirror and been able to LOVE the things about my body that beauty norms deem 'undesirable.' I now have grown to know that my body is worthy of so many great things. I don't need to be a size 0 to believe in myself. My body carries me each and every day, it loves the people I love, it holds what makes me healthy and strong, it bends it shakes it runs and it CHANGES. That is okay and that is beautiful."
Alexa also opened up about her own journey of confidence, and is passing along what she's learned to anyone else who has struggled with self-love. "This was a lesson in learning to let go, take the plunge, and embrace myself from both the inside AND out — which is something I struggle with each and every day," she wrote. "My purpose is to now pass along this lesson of unconditional self-love and self-respect to every woman who's willing to listen. Once again, from the bottom of my heart . . . Thank You."
Keep reading to see more photos of Christie and her beautiful daughters, and check out the full Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue when it hits newsstands next week!
Alexa captioned her Sports Illustrated photo, writing, "Let's STOP degrading and START celebrating ourselves and others, from both the inside AND out. There's far too much degradation, competition, insecurity, and unhealthy standards associated with women and their bodies- particularly on social-media. As a conscious society, it's up to us to flip this negativity on its head. I don't have a completely flat tummy, or cellulite-free thighs... nor am I a model's height or shape. Neither are hundreds of millions of other beautiful women out there. SO WHAT? Does it really matter, in the end? All that matters is how YOU feel about yourself. Set your own standards of beauty; both internally and externally. All of those unrealistic-looking, photoshopped images are nothing more than white noise, playing off of your own insecurities in order to make a buck. Don't let them affect you. DO YOU! We are all perfect, just as we are. Please know that. Thank you @si_swimsuit for showcasing all heights, shapes, and sizes. For within our distinctions, our quirks, and our self-perceived 'flaws'... therein lies the beauty."
Sailor captioned her Sports Illustrated photo, writing, "I've had issues with my body image since before I can even remember. I grew up not loving how I looked and felt held back because of it. I don't know why I always felt that way, sure I had baby fat and definitely went through a plethora of awkward phases, but I had a family that loved me i had friends who made me laugh etc. But for some reason I still looked in the mirror and always somehow found something to pick on. I went from being "too fat" to "too thin" to "too muscular" and I never felt satisfied. My body and I have been through it all. But recently I have been liberated. I am healthy, i treat myself well, and for that i'm happy. I've looked in the mirror and been able to LOVE the things about my body that beauty norms deem 'undesirable'. I now have grown to know that my body is worthy of so many great things. I don't need to be a size 0 to believe in myself. My body carries me each and every day, it loves the people i love, it holds what makes me healthy and strong, it bends it shakes it runs and it CHANGES. That is okay and that is beautiful. I could not be more grateful to the beautiful and strong @mj_day for including me in this years Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 😭😩❤ This is more than a magazine to me and always has been. As a growing young woman SI showed me all bodies are different and all bodies are worthy of celebrating."
Christie captioned her Sports Illustrated photo, writing, "Yes! I am excited to announce that I am back in @si_swimsuit ..I figured with my gorgeous daughters @alexarayjoel and @sailorbrinkleycook by my side whose going to be looking at me! Oh and My kids think I walk on water, so let's not mention the apple box concealed just under the surface. For a preview check out @people.com ..and thank you Sports Illustrated for sending the powerful message that good things come in packages of every size and we do not come with an expiration date!"