Sports Illustrated Swim Search finalist, 56, says husband took casting call snaps: 'It's never too late'

Nina Cash, 56, a top 12 finalist in this year's Sports Illustrated Swim Search, said she was inspired by Kathy Jacobs, who became known as "the oldest rookie" at age 57.

"I was joking with my husband and daughter — I said, ‘I’m going to do it when I retire,'" the mother of three told Fox News Digital about trying out for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s annual casting call. "It was January 2nd in Australia, which meant it was January 1st in America… and I hadn’t worn a bikini in forever. So, I wore a bikini, and my husband took some candid shots. And he said, ‘Honey, you should apply.’ And I said, ‘Oh, I think it’s too late. I think [it was over] in October. So he went online and said, ‘The deadline is January 1st! Let’s do it!’" Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com.

"So, I cobbled together footage and this candid shot that he had," Cash shared. "And then I did a really quick video and I spliced it together. I sent it in and thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be a miracle and super cool if I got this?’"