Stacey Williams — the former model who made bombshell allegations against Donald on Wednesday — was a staple of the legendary Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues in the 1990s.
Williams, who appeared on a panel at the Woodstock Film Festival earlier this week with Tyra Banks, accused Trump of groping her after the pair were introduced by sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein in the 1990s.
Born in Dallas, Pennsylvania in 1968, Williams’ modeling career began in the late 1980s, quickly becoming a popular figure in the industry and working with major fashion brands and photographers.
Williams’ work with Sports Illustrated helped cement her as one of the most prominent swimsuit models of her time, alongside Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkley, Heidi Klum and Rebecca Romijn.
Stacey Williams was a staple of legendary Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues in the 1990s. She is pictured in January 1996
Models pose for photographers during a press conference to launch the 1996 issue of Sports Illustrated, with Stacey Williams, Georgina Robertson, Rebecca Romijn, Valleria Mazza and Tyra Bans all pictured
Standing 6 feet tall, she was featured for six years in a row, making her debut in 1992 and then returning for six years in a row as she quickly became a fan favorite, until 1998.
She returned for the 40th anniversary issue in 2004 as part of SI’s Hall of Fame.
And in 2013, during a special issue honoring Sports Illustrated’s 50 Best Swimsuit Models, the magazine returned her to its coveted pages for the eighth time, calling her “one of Swimsuit’s most memorable models.”
In the latest list of 50 beauties, Williams finished a respectable 19th.
Her modeling work all came at a time when supermodels were becoming international stars in their own right, but Stacey chose a more subdued path.
Williams was a versatile figure in the industry, as her natural looks allowed her to show off high-fashion brands while being recognizable enough for commercial work.
Although she kept a relatively low profile compared to some other supermodels of her era, Williams was a recognizable name in the world of fashion modeling.
Stacey Williams returned in 2004 for the 40th anniversary issue of Sports Illustrated as part of SI’s Hall of Fame
Williams’ looks made her a fan favorite as she modeled for several brands, including this 1996 poster for Moosehead Beer
Stacey Williams is seen during the 2004 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as top models celebrated the Issue’s 40th anniversary
Outside of the industry, Williams has also appeared in a number of small films, including The Dogwalker (1996), while also playing a small role in Jerry Maguire (1999). But her acting career never reached the heights of her modeling success.
In addition to her high-profile modeling work, Williams has managed to lead a relatively private life.
As the fashion industry changed in the 2000s, Williams seemed to step back from the spotlight, allowing newer faces to come to the fore as she focused on her personal life.
On her IMDB profile, Williams is said to be married to Evan Strauss with whom she has a child. The couple bought a mansion in Los Angeles around the turn of the millennium.
The profile shares a few tidbits about Williams, including how she once appeared on a Moosehead Beer poster in 1996, “practices yoga and dreams of one day opening her own studio.”
Models from left, Roshumba, Melissa Keller, Petra Nemcova and Stacey Williams seen in 2004
Shown from left are Sports Illustrated models Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, Vendela, Valeria Mazza, Roshumba Williams and Stacey Williams
At the height of her fame in 1992, Williams, then 24, said she met Donald Trump at a party after being introduced by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, with whom she had dated.
Epstein, who was convicted of sex crimes in 2019 and killed himself in prison, paid Trump an impromptu visit with Williams at his New York office building, where he pulled her close and began groping her, she alleged.
Williams, now 56, says Trump put his hands “all over” her breasts, waist and buttocks, causing her to freeze on the spot, and she noticed the two men appeared to be smiling at each other.
A Trump campaign spokeswoman dismissed the allegations as a “fake” story.
Williams shared a postcard showing Trump’s mansion in South Florida. She said he texted her agent a year later, in 1993, after the episode, with the message in his handwriting: “Stacey – Your home away from home. I love Donald.’