Kate Upton

Kate Upton (born June 10, 1992) is an American model and actress known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, first in 2011, when she was named Rookie of the Year, and again in 2012, when she was announced as the cover model. Upton was born in St. Joseph, Michigan.[5] She was raised in Melbourne, Florida.[6] She has two sisters and a brother, David.[citation needed] Her uncle is Fred Upton, the Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Michigan.[7]
An equestrienne, Upton showed for the American Paint Horse Association and competed on a national level.[8] With her horse Roanie Pony, she won three APHA Reserve World Championships, in 13 and Under Western Riding, 13 and Under Horsemanship and 14–18 Western Riding and named the 13 and Under Reserve All-Around Champion at the APHA World Championship Show, giving her a total of five championships. In addition, Upton ended up third overall on the APHA youth Top Twenty. With a second horse, Zipped, she won 14–18 Western Riding and was top 5 in 14–18 Horsemanship and 14–18 Western Pleasure in 2009.[9]
[edit]Career

In 2008, Upton attended a casting call in Miami for Elite Model Management[5] and was signed by them the same day. She eventually moved to New York City, where she signed with IMG Models.[5]
Upton first modeled for Garage,[5] then Dooney & Bourke. She is the 2010–11 face of Guess.[citation needed] In 2011, Upton appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She was featured in the body paint section and named Rookie of the Year for the issue.[5] She has since modeled for Beach Bunny swimwear and Victoria's Secret,[2] and has appeared in Complex[10][11] and Esquire as "The Woman of the Summer".[12]
In April 2011, an internet video of her doing the Dougie at a Los Angeles Clippers game went viral and has served to increase her popularity.[8][13][14]
Upton made an appearance in a June 2011 episode of Tosh.0, participating in a segment called "Knife or Banana", emulating a Japanese game show in which she is stabbed with a banana.[15]
In July 2011, Upton played in 2011 Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.[16]
Upton's acting debut was in the film Tower Heist, as Mr. Hightower’s Mistress.[17] She followed up with an appearance in The Three Stooges as Sister Bernice.[18]
Upton appeared on the cover of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, unveiled on February 13, 2012.