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Sailor Brinkley Cook posted an Instagram video responding to body-shaming criticism about her look worn to a recent Sports Illustrated Swimsuit event
The 27-year-old model shared an empowering story about how she has come to appreciate her body, specifically her legs, which were described as “too thick” by the critic
Brinkley Cook also shared how Addison Rae has influenced her body-positivity journey
Sailor Brinkley Cook is keeping her head high and her confidence even higher.
The model and daughter of Christie Brinkley shared an empowering message on social media about body image as she responded to a body-shaming comment about her legs, seemingly about how they looked in the minidress she wore to the 2026 SportsIllustrated Swimsuit Issue Launch Party on Thursday, May 14.
The user’s comment read, “Legs too thick for the dress,” which inspired Brinkley Cook, 27, to later post a story about her journey to loving her figure in a May 19 Instagram post.
“Hey there, sorry, I’m sweaty. Me and my thick thighs were just on a five-mile run,” she began.
The clip showed Brinkley Cook in a one-piece and featured a screenshot of the comment.
“I’ve always had very strong legs, and because of this screwed up world and all the beauty standards pushed at us from such a young age, I thought that my strong legs were something to be ashamed of,” she admitted at the start of the video.
“For so much of my life, I didn’t wear the skirt, didn’t wear the shorts, didn’t wear the minidress. I thought everyone was staring at my ‘thick’ thighs. My ‘huge’ calves,” she continued.
Sailor Brinkley Cook at ‘Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’ event
Credit: TheStewartofNY/Getty
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“I’ve done a lot of work surrounding my body image and self-esteem over the years. As you get older, you don’t want to waste any more time hating your body. It just gets so f—ing boring.”
Brinkley Cook then shared how seeing a photo of Addison Rae showing her “amazing legs” in microshorts inspired her to love herself. “I was so empowered, and the next workout class that I went to, I wore tiny Spandex shorts,” she said.
“The moral of the story is representation. It’s seeing people that look like you feeling confident and gorgeous that matters. It’s my duty now as a grown woman to be proud of my body, wear what I want to wear, show off my legs and fight back against all of that self-hating nonsense that I dealt with as a kid.”
She concluded, “So remember guys: It’s a waste of time to hate your body, it’s disrespectful to not appreciate it and wear the f—ing shorts and the minidress.”
The comment section of her video was flooded with positive responses.
Christie Brinkley and Sailor Brinkley Cook in December 2025
Credit: Dominik Bindl/Getty
Her mom Christie, 72, wrote, “Power legs and powerful message! 🙌 💪Proud mom here!!! (who btw used to be sensitive about my legs too!).”
Hilaria Baldwin added, “I love you. Wear it all and be the queen that you are. You are stunning.”
Other stars who shared loving messages were Paulina Porizkova, Remi Bader, Hunter McGrady and Camille Kostek.
Read the original article on People