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Nicola Griffin to appear in Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue at 56

"I've never felt sexier," the model said.

By Annie Martin
Nicola Griffin on December 9, 2015. The model will appear in the 2016 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Photo by Nicola Griffin/Instagram
Nicola Griffin on December 9, 2015. The model will appear in the 2016 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Photo by Nicola Griffin/Instagram

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Nicola Griffin will make history by appearing in the 2016 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue at age 56.

The model will become the oldest woman to be featured in the special edition when Sports Illustrated runs her Swimsuits for All ad in the forthcoming issue.

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Swimsuits for All revealed Griffin's ad this week on social media, writing, "Silver is the new sexy." The company contributed other ads starring Ashley Graham, who will also appear as a rookie, and British-Ghanian model Philomena Kwao.

"As an older woman, I feel empowered and sexy in my bikini," Griffin told E! News. "I've never actually worn a bikini. This is the first time ... It's amazing. I would never have thought of saying that but it's the first time and it felt wonderful."

"People think you lose your sex appeal as you get older -- but that's a myth; I've never felt sexier," she added in a statement. "I have two daughters and I'm so proud they get to see me looking sexy and confident in a bathing suit."

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Griffin started modeling at age 53 when her children left for college, landing a campaign with White Hot Hair products. The model told Swimsuits for All she hopes women see her campaign and know they "can look fantastic at any size, any shape."

Nicola Griffin in her Swimsuits for All ad for the 2016 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Photo by Swimsuits for All/Instagram

Sports Illustrated will unveil its 2016 swimsuit issue cover Feb. 13 on TNT. Models Gigi Hadid and Irina Shayk and MMA fighter Ronda Rousey are among the other women who will appear in the edition.

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