Camille Kostek Recalls How Growing Up ‘Without a Scale’ in Her Home Affected Her Modeling Career (Exclusive)

Camille Kostek, the celebrated nine-time Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, shared her experiences grappling with the pressures of the modelling industry in the inaugural episode of PEOPLE’s new series, WAG World, premiering on May 28. In a candid conversation with host Skyler Caruso, Kostek reflected on difficult moments in her career, revealing that she nearly abandoned her aspirations to model.

At 34 years of age, Kostek has made her mark in the fashion world, but the journey has not been entirely smooth. She disclosed that the scrutiny she faced regarding her weight during her early modelling career was particularly challenging. “I almost gave up on pursuing a modelling career,” she confessed, emphasising the emotional toll that such industry expectations can exert on emerging talents.

The model, who is in a longstanding relationship with NFL icon Rob Gronkowski, gained recognition after winning the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search in 2018. This victory paved the way for her to grace the cover of the prestigious magazine in 2019, a milestone marked by a striking photoshoot on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Despite these achievements, she recalled facing considerable pressure to conform to often unrealistic beauty standards.

“By the time I reached 27 and got the cover, I was constantly receiving rejections,” Kostek shared. “The feedback often included suggestions to lose weight or reduce measurements in various areas.” This criticism was particularly perplexing for her, as she had grown up in an atmosphere that prioritised self-acceptance and body positivity.

Recalling her upbringing, she mentioned that her parents instilled in her a healthy attitude towards body image. “My mom has always been very accepting. I grew up in a house without a scale,” Kostek remarked, underscoring how her formative years shaped her resilience against societal pressures. She is also grateful for a time when social media was less pervasive, allowing her to avoid the constant comparisons prevalent on today’s platforms.

The judgements about her body left Kostek questioning herself, often wondering, “But why isn’t this enough?” However, her experience with Sports Illustrated proved transformative. “SI Swim was a turning point for me,” she stated, revealing that the magazine’s ethos helped her embrace her authentic self rather than bend to external expectations.

She fondly recounted how the publication inspired her in her teenage years as she began to embrace her curves and femininity. “At 15, I started to accept my hips and curves thanks to the diverse representations in the magazine,” she explained. As she reflects on her journey, Kostek now takes immense pride in serving as a role model for younger generations, encouraging them to embrace their individuality.

“This role means so much to me,” Kostek enthused. “On the surface, I’m just a bikini model, but being featured by SI allowed me to celebrate who I am as a woman.” After marking her ninth appearance in the magazine’s Swimsuit issue this year, she has shifted her focus from rigorous physical preparation to mental wellbeing.

“The preparation is less about the body and more about the mindset,” she explained. Instead of stressing over her appearance, she now tells herself, “Camille, you are enough as you are.” Kostek’s optimistic view extends beyond fashion and modelling; she regards herself as an encouraging presence, both literally as a big sister and figuratively as an online figure.

As she closed her conversation, Kostek imparted a light-hearted yet profound message: “Life is so short, and our days are numbered, so just get out there, live, and have fun. It’s not that serious.” Her journey of self-acceptance and her insights on embracing individuality resonate with many, furthering the conversation around body positivity within the modelling industry. Through her story, Camille Kostek not only recounts her struggles with societal standards but also positions herself as a beacon of empowerment for the next generation.