Kate Upton landed the cover of Sports Illustrated for a third time – but not without some controversy surrounding it.
The 2017 release of the magazine’s swimsuit edition came following questions as to whether or not Upton would actually appear on the cover due to a reported “diva fit.”
Kate Upton’s Racy Sports Illustrated Cover Sparks Controversy
Upton reportedly demanded that she be the one to get the cover, after it was reported that Sports Illustrated would potentially have three different versions of the magazine with different cover models – Upton, Christie Brinkley and Serena Williams.
“There was drama,” a source told Page Six. “Kate demanded that if she did the shoot, that she absolutely must get the cover. She also had a list of photographers and hair and makeup people she would only work with.”
The source said that Upton was “being a big f**king diva” about the shoot, adding that she “thinks she’s better than everyone because she’s an actress.
“It’s that time of year again. Who is in, who’s on the cover, what will they do next? Everyone has a guess, and that’s all this is,” a Sports Illustrated spokesperson said in response.
When it was released, the editor of the magazine spoke to the idea that ultimately became a reality – releasing three different versions of the cover featuring Upton in various poses.
“We didn’t start off with the idea of three covers, regardless of who was on the cover but when Kate was actually shooting, we were trying so many different looks on her and each photo was coming back just as great as the next,” the editor said, Daily Mail reported.
“It’s a full circle moment for us. We started Kate in her career, and you know, we watched her grow and become not only this worldwide, superstar phenomenon; she changed the direction of the modeling industry. Kate Upton was really this trailblazer that led the way for the Ashley Grahams of the world and everything you’re seeing happen that’s different in fashion right now.”
Sources: Daily Mail, Page Six / Photo credit: Flickr, Daily Mail
