Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: Sassy 86-Year-Old Is The Baddest Bathing Suit Model
When we're in our 80s, we hope we're as sassy and cool as Baddie Winkle. We've seen the 86-year-old Instagram star donning a tie-die dress emblazoned with the word "twerk," jacket covered with cannabis leaves and a swimsuit that says "been trill." But now, we get to see even more of her since she's landed a bathing suit modeling gig with L.A.'s Dimepiece streetwear.Dimepiece launched their summery "State of Mind" campaign last week and since have been posting Instagram videos and photos of Baddie Winkle in swimsuits and coverups, laying by a pool and sitting on a swan floatie.
Support for LAist comes from
But there's more to Baddie Winkle, who only goes by that nickname, than just her trill attitude. Her story is actually a really inspiring one. When she was interviewed by PAPERMAG by last year, she talked about her life before launching the Instagram account:
I'm from Eastern Kentucky, born in Hazard. My father was a coal miner. Then we moved to a small town that was soon after hit by a tornado. I've had a hard life all my life. My husband died thirty years ago and my son died fifteen years ago, so it's been very traumatic for me. Then we came up with this and it's been such a great motivator.
It was her great-granddaughter's idea to create an Instagram account for her and start photographer her up in fun clothes, and accompanying the posts with some spicy captions. Baddie Winkle now has nearly 800,000 followers.
"Even in my old age, I've never really done anything noteworthy until now," Baddie Winkle said. "I would love to get other old people active instead of just sitting around all day doing nothing, acting like life is over."
Here are some more awesome snapshots of her:
Support for LAist comes from
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding. -
Scientists say La Niña is likely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a dry winter in Southern California. -
According to a grand jury report the contractor took advantage of strained relations and political pressures to “force” the city to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to settle disputes. -
Administrators say the bargaining units should be dismissed, or that they have no standing. One campus is going after the federal agency in charge of union activity. -
The landslide is not connected to the greater Portuguese Bend landslide, city officials said. -
Nom. Nom. Nom. The event destroyed the internet when it was first announced — and sold out in minutes.
Best of LAist