Sports Illustrated decided to declare all seven 2024 SI Swimsuit Rookie Models as winners for the upcoming 60th anniversary of the SI Swimsuit Issue that will be released in May 2024. Retired university associate dean, Dr. Nina Cash, is breaking barriers and stereotypes by becoming this year's oldest winning model at 57 years old. Dr. Cash also happens to be Filipino, diabetic, and a pillar in her Long Beach community for her philanthropic work. What she considers her "encore career," after retiring, becoming a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model was something she never thought possible after a certain age because of the industry's infamous practice of not pursuing female models after reaching a certain age

A wife, mother, and daughter, Dr. Cash spent her life not only as a successful career-focused woman but also giving back and providing for others. A firm believer in the adage "it's never too late," Dr. Cash earned her bachelor's degree 10 years after high school, her master's 20 years later, and earned her doctorates in January of 2020. Along with teaching, Dr. Cash has also aligned herself with, continues to volunteer, and is on the board of the Get Safe organization (which provides a variety of programs, including children's anti-bullying trainings, workplace safety trainings, various safety programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, trauma-informed survivor programs, and law enforcement trainings).

When Dr. Nina Cash is not busy, she can be found spending time with her husband, professional dancer/choreographer Aaron James Cash in Long Beach, playing with their 4 foster dogs, dancing, and enjoying her life.

RAINE: Did you always have an affinity for models and modeling? Or was it something that became more developed over time as the industry became a legitimate second career path for you?

DR. NINA CASH: I have always been intrigued by the modeling industry. I had the opportunity to model a bit after high school, while also attending community college. In my early 20’s, I found myself married with a baby. Since my look at the time was not in high demand and bookings were very far and few between, I decided to pursue a career in education. I must say that I am grateful for my career in education and would not change a thing about my decision to go in that direction. 

RAINE: Was there a particular moment when you knew your modeling career was going to go further (or have greater success) than you had initially envisioned?

 CASH: There was definitely a moment when I knew my modeling career was going further and I might add, a lot faster than initially anticipated when I embarked on this “encore career” in the summer of 2022; making the top 24 in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Search 2023.

 RAINE: What was the initial reaction across your personal and professional network to your modeling career? 

CASH: My personal network was absolutely thrilled for me, cheering, and supporting me all the way! My educational and workforce development professional network was, for the most part, supportive, but they were also very surprised. I think because they had only really seen me in roles that were traditionally more reserved. So, for them to see me in a bikini, it was a “hmmm…head scratcher” for many. {Laughs}

 RAINE: What were the initial challenges you faced when breaking into an industry so focused on conventionally young attractiveness later in life? 

CASH: I am happy to say that I have been welcomed back into this industry with open arms! I am re-entering the modeling world at a time where the “cookie cutter” look of what a model should look like, dress like, and be like, as determined by the lens of a very few, has faded away. I praise Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and Vogue Magazine for taking the lead in completely turning the tides and embracing the notion that beauty does blossom with age! SI Swimsuit and Vogue Philippines have both had women over the age of 80 grace the cover of their magazines: Martha Stewart age 81 and Apo Whang Od age 106! If I do my calculations correctly, I have at least another 50 years in this business!!

 RAINE: Your two main career paths seem to come on the face of it from the complete opposite ends of the skills spectrum. Is there any crossover at all in terms of the skills required for both academia and modeling? 

CASH: Good question! Both require patience, active listening skills, and good communication. Also, the ability to be flexible, patient, remain calm in stressful situations, and work well with others.

RAINE: Anyone can in theory build themselves a second career path while still building and maintaining the skills they were taught in their initial career field. What would your advice for people in this scenario be? 

CASH: It is not uncommon for one to have a survival job while pursuing their passion job, therefore:

a.       Take all the skills you learn during your survival jobs and put them in your “backpack” so that you can easily grab them when needed. Most skills are transferable.

b.       Please know that there are no more career ladders, only career jungle gyms. In order to get to the top, you might need to step to the left, right, down a few and maybe all the way to the bottom, before ascending to the top of your career goals. 

RAINE: How has having such a unique career development/ progression expanded your horizons both professionally and creatively? 

CASH: My encore career in modeling has allowed me to travel all over the world, meet wonderful people from casting directors to production crews, and experience other cultures and countries I previously only dreamed of. Also, I have been able to express myself more creatively as a model than I ever did as an associate dean at a university, where my environment was more reserved. At heart, I am a life-long learner and am enjoying my experiential learning in this new career. 

RAINE: Growing up what was your first encounter with Sports Illustrated as a brand?

 CASH: I have known about SI for over 50+ years, however, one of my most memorable encounters was in 1984, I was a senior in high school, when I saw Cheryl Tiegs on the cover. That was the very first time I made real note of the SI Swimsuit Edition. I thought to my 17-year-old self that it would be so cool to not only be in the iconic magazine someday, but to be on the cover. Fast forward to 40 years later (literally), I am going to be in the magazine!

 RAINE: How do you think your modeling success with Sports Illustrated showcases how the brand has adapted over the decades to encompass a wider range of creative voices and models featured? 

CASH: MJ Day, editor-in-chief for SI Swimsuit, leads a stellar, creative, and talented team. I applaud them for being one of the very first to dare to throw a pebble into the modeling pool, creating a ripple that has turned into a tidal wave of change for the industry. I am forever grateful to MJ Day and the SI Swimsuit family for including me and showing the world I have “gone gray and still slay” … and so can YOU!

 RAINE: How do you hope to expand your two careers even further in the future?

 CASH: I honestly do not have a plan at the moment; I am just taking all of this in. However, I do know that some of the best moments of my life haven’t even happened yet, and I am excited about that!

Photos provided by AGPR