Charisma Carpenter, known for her role as Cordelia Chase in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, showcased her toned physique in a series of new bikini photos shared on Instagram this Monday. The 55-year-old actress was seen enjoying a beach vacation, accessorizing with a straw hat and sunglasses while sunbathing.
Beach Vacation and Fan Reactions
In her caption, Carpenter wrote, 'Could get used to this ☀️,' adding, 'Beach and Garden content is going strong with no end in sight.' Her followers responded enthusiastically, with comments such as 'Beautyyyyy I love you sooooo' and 'Fabulous photos and videos looks amazing.' Among her followers who liked the post were friends Rebecca Gayheart and Paulina Porizkova.
Playboy and FHM Features
This latest post comes 22 years after Carpenter posed nude for Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine in a photoshoot by Russell James. She also graced the cover of FHM in 1999.
Career Highlights
Carpenter is best known for playing Cordelia Chase on the supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003) and its spin-off Angel. She also appeared on Charmed alongside the late Shannen Doherty. In 2023, she reprised her role as Cordelia Chase in the Audible Original series Slayers.
Past Allegations Against Joss Whedon
In 2021, Carpenter made allegations against Buffy creator Joss Whedon, describing his behavior as 'hostile and toxic.' She claimed he called her 'fat' when she was four months pregnant and threatened to fire her. Her accusations prompted other former co-stars to speak out. Carpenter has described Whedon as a 'tyrannical narcissistic boss who is still unable to be accountable and just apologize.'
Return to the Buffyverse
Despite her hesitations, Carpenter agreed to join the Slayers project. At New York Comic Con in October 2023, she told Us Weekly that she had 'a little bit of apprehension when I first was asked to join,' but those feelings were 'immediately assuaged by Amber [Benson]'s pitch in that I heard her enthusiasm.' Benson, who played Tara Maclay, co-created the audio story set in an alternate universe without Buffy Summers.
Personal Connection to Cordelia
Carpenter reflected on her character's impact, stating, 'It's personal for me. I have lived with Cordelia. I performed her for about 10 years of my life, and I feel she, as a character, informed me, the woman that played her.' She added, 'The idea of coming into my own power as a young woman through a character that then I ended up using that power in a way to speak out against the creator of that power.'
Carpenter emphasized that 'Cordelia gave birth to Charisma and really informed who I am today.' She found it 'powerful' to play a strong character during a tough time in her life, noting, 'I was able to do very hard things at a very critical time in my life.' She concluded, 'I think that is the ultimate Buffyverse story — finding out what your purpose is and using it to make the world a better place.'
