Kate Upton
American model Kate Upton is known for her appearances on the covers of such publications as the ‘Sports Illustrated’ Swimsuit Issue and ‘GQ.’
Who Is Kate Upton?
American model and actress Kate Upton was born on June 10, 1992, and grew up in Melbourne, Florida. In 2008, she attended a casting call for Elite Model Management in Miami, Florida, and was signed to the company that same day. Upton appeared in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue in 2011, 2012 and 2017. Upton also made headlines in 2012, when a video surfaced of her provocatively dancing to the Rej3ctz's song, "Cat Daddy."
Early Career
Born on June 10, 1992, Kate Upton grew up in Melbourne, Florida, with her parents and three siblings. In 2008, she attended a casting call for Elite Model Management in Miami, Florida, and was signed to the company that same day.
Not long after, Upton moved to New York City to further pursue a modeling career, as well as acting, and eventually signed with the company IMG Models. From that point on, Upton's career soared. She has since modeled for such fashion-forward companies as Dooney & Bourke, Guess and Victoria's Secret, as well as various magazines.
Media Attention
Upton appeared in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue in 2011—for which she was named "Rookie of the Year"—and on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue the following year. Additionally, in July 2012, she posed for the cover of GQ magazine. In the GQ photo, Upton is sporting a skimpy, red, white and blue bikini, and seductively eating a popsicle.
Upton also made headlines in 2012, when a video surfaced of her provocatively dancing to the Rej3ctz's song, "Cat Daddy." Following the video's internet explosion, it was removed from YouTube—it was deemed too sexual by regulators of the site—but was replaced on the site soon after. Days later, Upton appeared as a guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where she showed guests some of her dance moves from the popular video.
In 2017, Upton announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that she would appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue for the third time.
Harassment Accusations
On January 31, 2018, Upton sent out a tweet that seemingly accused Guess co-founder Paul Marciano of sexual harassment: "It's disappointing that such an iconic women's brand @Guess is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director #metoo," she wrote, prompting a strong denial from the accused.
One week later, Upton followed up via a Time interview which she described Marciano's aggressive come-ons since her first modeling shoot for Guess in 2010. Fending off his groping and attempts to invite himself to her room, she often begged photographer Yu Tsai to join her so she wouldn't be alone with Marciano. When spurned, the designer took to calling Upton a "fat pig" and had her fired from shoots.
Upton said she suffered a crisis of confidence in the aftermath of her experiences with Marciano, shouldering the blame until finding strength in the support of family and friends. Noting she was "sick of being silenced and expected to sweep everything under the rug," she said the culture of complacency had to end.
"We shouldn’t have to take a step back to a time when women weren’t invited to networking events or one-on-one meetings. I don’t want an environment where women can only work with women or vice versa," she said. "Good men do exist. I’m very lucky to know that because of my wonderful husband and father and brother. But we need to make sure we’re hiring men with respect for women — not their bodies, but their minds and professionalism."
Marciano announced he was stepping down as Guess executive chairman in June 2018, after settling with Upton and four other accusers.
Personal Life
A longtime horseback rider, Upton showed horses for the American Paint Horse Association and competed nationally at a young age with her horse, "Roanie Pony." With Roanie Pony, Upton won five national championships, and went on to achieve additional horse-showing honors with another horse, Zipped.
Upton began dating star Major League Baseball pitcher Justin Verlander in 2014. In November 2017, shortly after Verlander won the World Series with the Houston Astros, the two were married at the Rosewood Castiglion Del Bosco resort in Italy. The following July, Upton announced that their first baby was on the way via an Instagram photo captioned with "#PregnantinMiami."
Upton's uncle, Fred Upton, is a U.S. Congressman representing Michigan's 6th District.
