Kate Upton, a 31-year-old model, recently graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit for the fourth time, reclaiming her front page superiority with the magazine. Known for her doe-eyed gaze and contoured curves, Upton first earned “Rookie of the Year” honors in 2011 and has since been featured on the cover in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017. Her most recent cover shoot was done in celebration of SI Swimsuit’s 60th anniversary, where Upton wore a red-and-pink bikini from the Turkish fashion house, Normaillot. Her sculpted abs were highlighted in the shoot, which took place in Mexico and was captured by photographer Yu Tsai.
Upton praised SI Swimsuit’s editor-in-chief, MJ Day, for featuring women of all shapes, ages, and skin tones in the magazine. She commended Day for making the magazine empowering for all women and for breaking the traditional mold of the fashion industry. Day, who has been in charge of the magazine since 2014, selected Upton along with other icons like Hunter McGrady and Chrissy Teigen, as well as newcomer Gayle King, to be cover models for the magazine’s 2024 edition. Each of these women had their individual frontispiece features in the anniversary edition, with an additional three collectible covers featuring 27 iconic models such as Christie Brinkley and Tyra Banks.
The 2024 SI Swimsuit issue also included a legendary photo shoot featuring some of the most influential alumni of the magazine. Day described the shoot as a reflection of the magazine’s history but also as a representation of the current state and a hopeful look towards the future. The magazine’s celebration of diversity and empowerment through its cover models and the ethos of showcasing women’s bodies confidently regardless of appearance resonates throughout the issue. The magazine has come a long way from the era when the fashion industry wanted to put everyone in a box, and under Day’s leadership, it has become a platform that celebrates the beauty of women in all their forms.
Kate Upton expressed her joy at being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit once again, describing the experience as never getting old. Her return to the magazine after a brief absence showcases her enduring popularity and relevance in the modeling industry. Upton’s effortless beauty and confidence shine through in her photos, and her admiration for SI Swimsuit and its impact on women’s empowerment is evident. As the magazine continues to evolve and embrace a more diverse representation of beauty, Upton and other cover models serve as inspiring figures for women of all ages and backgrounds. Through their photos and stories, they embody the spirit of confidence and empowerment that SI Swimsuit aims to celebrate in its pages.
