Kate Upton is Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2012 Cover Girl

Model and actress Kate Upton is new cover girl of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition 2012. Kate wears a tiny red-and-brown, sparkle-covered string bikini with a view of the waters of Australia behind her as she poses for the magazine cover, which was unveiled on TV Monday night on Late Show with David Letterman on CBS. Thrilled Kate said in a telephone interview before the big reveal:

That was one of the first photos from the first shoot. It was my favourite swimsuit. … I felt sexy in it but confident.”

Upton, five feet 10, was born in Michigan but raised in Florida. Her hometown is Melbourne, on the state’s east coast. She said:

In Florida, people walk around in their flip-flops, bikinis and jean shorts, so I’m very comfortable in a bathing suit.”

The 2012 magazine cover is her second time appearing in the annual SI issue that’s the equivalent of the Super Bowl for models. Last year, when Irina Shayk was on the cover, Upton was chosen as rookie of the year. Kate said:

I have had a great year. For me, this is groundbreaking.”

A huge perk of the job as the official swimsuit model is visiting lovely beaches, including shoots for the magazine in Sydney and Cairns, Australia, and Apalachicola, Fla. She said living a healthy lifestyle for her includes working out regularly with a personal trainer and watching what she eats. But there’s no special diet to prepare for a bikini shoot, she said, and she admits to splurging on the occasional ice cream or plate of fries.

Upton was joined by a host of her fellow Sports Illustrated stunners — Julie Henderson, Jessica Gomes, Ariel Meredith, Alyssa Miller, Chrissy Teigen, Genevieve Morton, Izabel Goulart, Jessica Perez and Irina Shayk — as she presented the “Top 10 Reasons This Year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is the Best One Ever.”

Miss Upton was signed by Elite Model Management in 2008 and has been attracting a growing number of admirers thanks to the high-profile campaigns for Guess and Victoria’s Secret.

First published in 1964, the Swimsuit Issue was launched as distraction to combat the winter lull in sporting events and news. Published only once a year, the cover is a huge coup for a model hoping to make it to the big time.

To many, the exposure from this cover is unparalleled and can catapult a well known model in fashion circles and the world of beauty to fame far beyond the catwalk. Sports Illustrated has always favoured the voluptuous looking models like Miss Upton and has previously 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.

Outside the modelling world, the blonde teen who was raised in Florida, is a keen equestrian and has won a number of championship competitions. 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.

So, at the official party of the launch of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2012 Kate was joined by a host of fellow Sports Illustrated beauties including Alyssa Miller, Izabel Goulart, Meredith Ariel and Jessica Gomes.

Speaking to the NY Post, last year’s SI Swimsuit Issue cover girl Irina Shayk gave some pieces of advice for women celebrating Valentine’s Day. The confident model said:

Look beautiful. It’s such a sexy holiday, you should wear something red like a dress or cute lingerie or nail polish or lipstick. You just have to be yourself to flirt and be beautiful and sexy. You don’t need to have long legs and big lips and beautiful hair and makeup. Just be a normal person.”

Bar Rafaeli shone in a electric blue lace dress with her blonde hair worn loose.

Jessica Gomes, Nina Ugdal and Michelle Vawer:

Izabel Goulart:

Alyssa Miller looked stylish in a tuxedo jacket worn as a dress, while Julie Henderson and Anne V looked fabulous in green and silver respectively

Chrissy Teigen also opted for lace, but was less successful in her choice:

Adaora, Genevieve Morton and Crystal Renn all failed to set the red carpet alive with their dubious outfits:

Jessica Perez and Ariel Meredith kept it classic for their party numbers

Upton succeeds a host of former S.I. covergals — including Tyra Banks, Bar Rafaeli and Brooklyn Decker. On Tuesday, she’ll swing by the show again to be interviewed Dave. This year’s Swimsuit Issue will feature 18 models and six athletes. The issue will be read by an estimated 70 million adults. In fact, about 1 in 3 U.S. adults read the annual issue, according to USA Today.

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