Kate Upton, starring in the new Three Stooges movie, was revealed as cover model of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue during a taping of CBS’ The Late Show with David Letterman in New York Monday night.
SI unveiled a billboard of Upton’s cover image across from Letterman’s Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan. The 19-year old Florida native nabbed the coveted cover shot in only her second appearance. She was “Rookie of the Year” last year.
Among other SI models who appeared on the show: Julie Henderson, Jessica Gomes, Ariel Meredith, Alyssa Miller, Chrissy Teigen, Genevieve Morton, Izabel Goulart, Jessica Perez and last-year’s cover model Irina Shayk.
This year’s 2012 SI Swimsuit Issue hitting newsstands, the Web, tablets and iPhones today will feature 18 models and 6 athletes and will be read by an estimated 70 million adults.
Upton joins the list of other SI cover models, including: Kathy Ireland, Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Elle MacPherson, Tyra Banks and Brooklyn Decker.
Upton has been romantically linked in the tabloids to New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez, according to TheBig Lead.com.
She’s done TV work for MSG Network and caused a YouTube sensation by dancing the “Dougie” at a Los Angeles Clippers game.
Upton’s personal Web site describes her as the “next great Supermodel.” She was a competitive equestrian before turning to modeling.
She’s joined in this year’s issued by three male athletes: Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps; NBA star Chris Paul and tennis star Rafael Nadal.
And three female athletes wearing nothing but bodypaint: Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin; LPGA pro Natalie Gulbis; and U.S. women’s soccer star Alex Morgan.
by Michael McCarthy, USA Today