Coco Austin Says She’ll ‘Stay Sexy Until I Die,’ Despite Critics — and Her Daughter’s Eye Rolls

Coco Austin, 46, the longtime wife of rapper and actor Ice-T, has never been one to tone things down — and she has no plans to start now. Known for her unapologetically bold and glamorous online persona, the model and TV personality has built a massive following on Instagram over the years, thanks to her signature style of sultry photos and confident self-expression.

But in a recent interview, Austin revealed that while she remains proud of her image, motherhood has made her more thoughtful about how she presents it — especially as her 9-year-old daughter, Chanel, grows up watching.

Appearing on Bunnie Xo’s “Dumb Blonde” podcast, Austin opened up about her evolution as both a performer and a parent, sharing how she balances being a “sexy icon” and a devoted mom (People).

“I’ve always been a performer at heart,” she said. “I like live energy — being in front of people. But the internet can be harsh. You post something you’re proud of, and suddenly you’ve got a thousand people telling you you’re a bad mom or too old to be sexy.”

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From Modeling to Motherhood — Without Losing the Glamour

Austin, who began her modeling career in the early 2000s and graced magazines like Smooth and Playboy, told Bunnie that she prefers the feedback of a live audience to the online world, where criticism can turn ugly fast.

Despite years of public scrutiny, her husband, Ice-T — the legendary “Colors” rapper and Law & Order: SVU star — has always stood firmly by her side. Yet, Coco admitted that one person’s opinion matters most: their daughter, Chanel.

“I think about her all the time,” she said, smiling. “I still love creating the content that made me who I am, but now I bring it down a little bit. I want her to be proud of me — not embarrassed.” (Billboard)

Austin said that becoming a mother inspired her to shift some of her racier content to a subscription-based platform, rather than posting everything publicly on Instagram.

“I took what I was already doing and moved it over there because Instagram was getting a little too saucy,” she explained. “I want people to see me as a wholesome mom, too — not just my [behind].”

‘Tone It Down, Mom!’ — Chanel’s Rules for Drop-Off

Coco laughed as she described how her daughter helps keep her grounded in everyday life — especially during school drop-offs.

“I’ll tell Chanel, ‘I’m so cool, you don’t even know how cool I am,’ and she’s like, ‘Tone it down, Mom,’” Coco said, grinning. “She won’t let me wear heels to pick her up. She’s like, ‘Please, no heels, no sparkly dresses.’ So I’ll literally change my clothes before I go.”

While Chanel affectionately calls her “hottie totty,” Austin admitted her daughter sometimes finds her mom’s wardrobe “a bit much.”

“She’ll roll her eyes, but she gets it,” Coco said. “I just make sure I don’t go overboard now that she’s old enough to notice. I’m still a mother — and I’m delicate with it.” (TMZ)

The Internet Reacts — A Debate Over Confidence and Parenting

After the podcast aired, social media lit up with mixed reactions. Many praised Austin’s honesty and authenticity, while others accused her of setting a poor example for her daughter.

One Facebook user wrote under TMZ’s clip of the interview:

“I feel bad for kids who have parents doing this. Money isn’t everything — your child’s peace and self-respect matter more.”

Another commenter said bluntly,

“A child should never have to tell their mom to ‘tone it down.’ Especially not when she’s still in elementary school.”

Others were even harsher. One critic posted,

“She’s not acting like a mother. She’s acting like she’s competing with her daughter for attention.”

However, the tide shifted on YouTube, where most fans came to Coco’s defense.

“To judge a mom by how she looks or dresses is ridiculous,” one viewer wrote. “I’m a mom to an autistic adult son, and looking good makes me feel good — it doesn’t mean I love my child any less. Rock on, Coco!” (The Guardian)

Supporters called her “inspiring,” “real,” and “a reminder that moms don’t have to lose themselves.”

‘I’ll Take Sexy Pictures Until I Die’

Despite the backlash, Coco made her stance clear: she’s not slowing down.

“I’m always going to take sexy pictures — until I die,” she said firmly. “People love to say, ‘Aren’t you too old for that?’ But I think we’re changing what aging looks like for women. I take care of myself — I’m into peptides, liquid vitamins, fitness. I feel good, and I’m proud of it.” (Variety)

Laughing, she added,

“Everyone’s like, ‘When are you going to stop doing the splits?’ And I say, ‘Never! I’m going to do the splits in a thong when I’m 80. Everything that irritates people — I’m doing it all, until the end.’”

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Owning Her Image, On Her Own Terms

Throughout her career, Coco Austin has faced criticism for her revealing outfits, yet she’s also become a symbol of confidence and self-ownership.

As USA Today noted in a 2023 feature on women reclaiming their sexuality in midlife, “Figures like Coco Austin challenge the double standard that applauds men for staying fit and stylish at 50, but scolds women for doing the same.”

Austin says that’s exactly why she keeps going.

“Women should never have to apologize for feeling sexy, no matter their age or whether they’re moms,” she told Bunnie. “If anything, motherhood made me stronger. I just do it with more thought now.”

For Coco, the message is simple — her life, her body, her rules. And if that makes a few people uncomfortable? That’s fine with her.

“At the end of the day,” she said, smiling, “I’m happy, my daughter’s loved, my husband supports me — and that’s all that really matters.”