Molly Sims looks back at one of the harshest periods in fashion and reveals what it really took to survive the so-called 'heroin chic' era. The 53-year-old model says the pressure to stay extremely thin left her trying almost every diet while people in the industry constantly judged her body.
Now, Sims says her view of beauty has changed. After years of being told she was too big, too small, too tall or too short, the model says she no longer wants to chase the body she had at 20 and is instead focused on being healthy at every age.
Molly Sims Recalls the Brutal 'Heroin Chic' Era
Sims entered modelling during the 1990s and early 2000s, when very thin bodies were a major trend. She described the period as 'devastating' and said the look centred on being dramatically underweight, with a dark, edgy style.
The model recalled how difficult it was to find her place in an industry that always seemed to have something wrong with her appearance. She said she was told she was 'too fat, too thin, too blonde, too tall, too short', and even learned at age 21 that people thought her nose was crooked.
Despite the pressure, Sims built a major career. She appeared in French Vogue, worked with well-known brands and became known for her work with Sports Illustrated and Victoria's Secret before moving into acting.
The Diets Never Seemed to Stop
Sims also opened up about the long list of diets she tried while working as a model. She said she tried everything from the grapefruit diet and Atkins to low-fat and fat-free eating, while even rice cakes became a regular part of her routine.
The constant focus on food and body size made staying thin feel like a job in itself. Sims said there was 'not one thing' she had not tried, showing how far she felt she had to go to fit the beauty rules of the time.
She also questioned the public stories some people in Hollywood told about how they stayed so thin. Sims said some claimed they only drank lots of water and slept eight hours, but she believed much more was happening behind the scenes.
Molly Sims Now Wants Health, Not Extreme Thinness
Sims says she has reached a very different place with her body as she has grown older. Instead of trying to look like she is 20, she wants to look and feel her best for her age.
'I don't want to be skinny; I want to be healthy,' Sims said. She described the change as a major shift in how she thinks about her body and beauty.
That new outlook became especially important when Sims returned to Sports Illustrated for its 2026 Swimsuit Issue. She also walked in the magazine's runway show during Miami Swim Week in May, proving that her career and confidence are not tied to looking like a younger version of herself.
Sims Wants a Healthier Message for Her Daughter
The lessons from her modelling years have also changed how Sims talks about body image at home. She said she does not want her daughter to grow up with the same fixation on weight that shaped so much of her own early career.
Her daughter has even asked about trying modelling in the future if other interests, including lacrosse and equestrian sports, do not work out. Sims admitted she was unsure about the idea, likely because she knows firsthand how demanding the industry can be.
For now, Sims says the focus at home is simple. 'We don't talk about weight,' she explained, adding that the family talks about healthy eating instead.
That message marks a clear break from the rules Sims faced when she was starting. After years of being told that thinner was better, she is now choosing a different definition of beauty, one that puts health, confidence and ageing naturally first.
