A recent story featuring former Playboy, Victoria’s Secret, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Joy Corrigan has grabbed attention—and for all the right reasons. She recently admitted that she’s been less than truthful about her age, marking a bold moment that pushes back against the industry stigma surrounding age. With her modeling achievements spanning some of the world’s biggest platforms, Corrigan’s move to reveal her real age represents a stand against the norms that make aging in the industry so taboo.
For many, including those of us who may not model for a living, this moment resonates deeply. Whether or not we lie about our age, we still face the impact of time, especially in workspaces dominated by a younger demographic. This article dives into Joy’s journey and explores the unique challenges that come with growing older in an industry—and workplace—that places high value on youth.
When I started at Barstool close to a decade ago, I was considered one of the older employees among the small, close-knit team. But back then, the age gap wasn’t extreme; I was a few years older than most of my colleagues, but we were largely in the same phase of life. Fast forward to now, and the workplace looks drastically different.
Barstool has gone from a small startup vibe to a large operation with a huge, diverse team, including staff members so young that they could technically be my children. I laugh to myself at the thought, considering that would mean someone was interested in teenage-me, and, let’s be real, that wasn’t the case. But here we are—a few birthdays later, I find myself surrounded by colleagues who would call me “old.” While I haven’t fibbed about my age, I don’t go out of my way to broadcast it, either. In an environment like Barstool, being “young and fun” is practically on the job description.
When I first started blogging, the cultural references I included were things most readers (and my co-workers) connected with. For example, my first blog as a full-timer was about Ecto Cooler, a nostalgic callback that hit home for many of us. But as time passed, I started to notice a gap between what I found culturally relevant and what my newer, younger colleagues were talking about. Nowadays, our site covers topics and figures—like the newest pop sensations and YouTube stars—that I sometimes have to Google.
Luckily, I got to co-host Podfathers with Large, who’s also seen a few more decades than some of the younger folks around here. That show offered some comfort, providing a shared space with someone who understood references dating back to the pre-internet days. However, Podfathers ended recently, which in a way marks another little chapter of time slipping by. It’s an odd experience, seeing your audience grow up and age out, and realizing some of your co-workers now call you “old.”
That’s why Joy Corrigan’s move to own up to her real age feels refreshing. In a world where models are often encouraged to stay in a certain age bracket—or even lie about their age to remain “relevant”—Joy’s transparency is powerful. She’s redefining what it means to be a model and public figure, where age is not the deciding factor of value.
Corrigan’s résumé speaks for itself. She’s a former Playboy and Victoria’s Secret model who’s been featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit—three major platforms that uphold traditional beauty standards. By openly discussing her age, Joy is challenging the idea that one’s age has to remain hidden in order to succeed or be admired. This stance feels especially significant considering the media’s track record of glorifying youth.
Corrigan’s message is universal, reminding people that age is, ultimately, just a number. It can carry certain stigmas, sure, but it doesn’t have to define your life. Recently, my former co-worker Jerry Thornton published a blog about an SI Swimsuit Rookie of the Year—who happens to be 56. Stories like this prove that age, especially for women in the modeling industry, doesn’t have to be the obstacle it once was.
As Corrigan herself proves, you can be a powerful presence and bring strength to any role, regardless of what your birth certificate says. She’s part of a larger movement, where high-profile models are gradually breaking free from the pressures to maintain a youthful persona. And for those of us who don’t walk runways but still feel the pressure, it’s reassuring to see people like her taking a stand.
Aging in a youth-centric field like Barstool can be a mixed bag of nostalgia and self-reflection. You find yourself becoming the “seasoned one,” maybe even the “wise one,” who’s supposed to know things the younger folks haven’t experienced yet. It’s a unique perspective, but also a reality check.
I used to think I’d feel out of place talking about “old” movies like The Dark Knight, but then I realized that a good story is timeless, ageless—something everyone can connect with. Joy Corrigan’s unapologetic attitude toward her age is the push many of us need to own our stories and backgrounds fully.
Though I may not be ready to drop my own age publicly just yet, seeing Joy’s confidence inspires me to embrace where I am. When I think about it, I realize there’s not much difference between now and a decade ago, aside from a few gray hairs and, admittedly, a few more aches and pains.
So here’s to aging and, like Joy, refusing to let it hold us back. Whether you’re a model under industry pressure or just someone navigating the workplace in a sea of younger faces, remember that experience adds value. Your unique journey—gray hairs and all—gives you an edge, a perspective, and maybe even a few good stories that others wouldn’t know otherwise.
With Joy Corrigan, we see that being true to yourself and accepting every phase of life, regardless of age, can be powerful. It’s a message for everyone: age is just a number, and it doesn’t define who we are or what we’re capable of. So, let’s raise a glass (or a margarita, as Joy might) to breaking free from age-related stereotypes and embracing every year that adds to our journey.
