A glimpse of the famous Times Square billboard before it was covered up for tonight’s big reveal on David Letterman, has confirmed that Kate Upton is this years Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model. The 19-year-old, from Michigan, has been touted as a favourite to grace the iconic cover ever since she was named Rookie of the Year in 2011 and this afternoon websites were buzzing with gossip after a photograph of the exclusive edition was leaked.
Miss Upton was signed by Elite Model Management in 2008 and has been attracting a growing number of admirers thanks to high-profile campaigns for Guess and Victoria’s Secret. Last year, her popularity skyrocketed as thousands of lusty fans logged on to watch a video of the curvy stunner dancing at a basketball game in Los Angeles which she had attended with fellow Sports Illustrated model Damaris Lewis. First published in 1964, the Swimsuit issue began as distraction to combat the winter lull in sporting events and news. Published only once a year, the cover is still a huge score for any model hoping to make it to the big time.
To many, the exposure from this cover is unparalleled and can catapault a well know model in fashion circles and the world of beauty to fame far beyond the catwalk Sports Illustrated has always favoured the more voluptuous looking models like Miss Upton and has featured the likes of Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, Paulina Porizkova, Elle Macpherson, Rachel Hunter, Rebecca Romijn, Petra Nemcova, Valeria Mazza, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and Marisa Miller among its cover stars. Thought many non-models have appeared within the magazine’s pages, the first such famous face to adorn the cover was Beyonce Knowles in 2007.
Outside the modelling world, the blonde teen who was raised in Florida, is a keen equestrian and has won a number of championship competitions. 2012 has already been a busy year for Miss Upton was only last week was strutting the catwalks of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in South Beach, Florida. Appearing playfully for Beach Bunny swimwear, the young model looked relaxed. Days later, she wrapped up in warmer clothes to attend the official ribbon cutting ceremony at New York Fashion Week. Miss Upton has also debuted on the silver screen this year in Tower Heist with Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy and applied her newly discovered acting talent to the Farrelly brothers’ latest comedy, The Three Stooges, due for release in April.
Thank god! It really is about time. Finally voluptuous bodies are back!! Size 6-8 isn’t considered fat anymore. This is the same body type that I am and the waif look absolutely killed! Curvy is sooo sexy! If you are going to be a 34/36D or bigger, having a size 2 or 4 frame is completely fake and freakish looking like a former friend of mine. LOL Everything needs to be in proportion and natural looking like it is with this model. She is healthy.
nice to see some curves!