Sport Illustrated’s swimsuit issue cover girl (times three) Kate Upton led a discussion recently about body positivity with three other models from the magazine. The theme of this year’s swimsuit issue is body diversity and age inclusivity. The four women, Kate, Hailey Clauson, Sailor Brinkley Cook and Aly Raisman, posted a Facebook Live conversation they had about their own struggles with their bodies and the criticism they received. Kate has struggled for most of career fighting criticism that either she is not high-end enough to model or that she is “too big.” At one point, it got so bad for Kate, that some ridiculous blog lamented that American women wanted to emulate her “squishy” figure. For the most part, Kate walked away from those discussions without giving them any energy. But, as you can read in this interview, it wasn’t because she wasn’t paying attention.
Four of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue’s latest stars came together on Saturday for an inspiring conversation about body confidence.
Kate Upton, Hailey Clauson, Sailor Brinkley Cook, and Aly Raisman sat down for a revealing Facebook Live conversation — each opening up about her own journey to body positivity.
The three-time cover star, Upton, led the chat, and said it was actually her critics who inspired her confidence. “I got my first cover when I was 19,” Upton, 24, said. “After my first cover, [critics] were discussing whether I was fat or not. I had this huge moment in my career and they were tearing it apart.”
“I have to thank the people who did that because it really made me sit back and find out who I was and what meant something to me and how I thought about my body,” she continued. “At 19, I wasn’t thinking about that. I sat there answering all these questions I had about my body because I really didn’t know.”
Upton joked, “if you don’t have haters, then you’re probably not successful.” But more importantly, she sees the pain behind the comments critics made. “They lashed out on me because they felt insecure about themselves,” Upton said.
“I realize that my confidence that I had in my body was actually meant to inspire women to love themselves for all their different flaws,” she added.
Like Kate or not, I appreciate her outlook on this. She took the comments from the people who tore her down to consider what she really thought about herself. We should all be so lucky to emerge from an image crisis with this outlook.
If you have a minute to watch the chat or read the article, I encourage you to do so. The first thing you notice is that four beautiful women speaking about how hurt they were by attacks on their physical attributes. What I found most interesting is that each woman frames their discussion within the context of the group with which they associated. Hailey discussed being a runway model from the age of 14, suddenly developing breasts and hips and being told she’d ruined her career. Sailor discussed being compared to her supermodel mother. And Aly, whom the other ladies fan girl over, was discounted as a gymnast because only a “stick-straight body” was thought to be contender. Each woman also discussed how important it is to become comfortable in your own skin. I think most of us know this is not an easy task. But the beauty is that once you get there, you really don’t go back. Looking at yourself through your own lens and not those of somebody else is a truly empowering thing.
Plus, it is kind of worth it to see Kate and Hailey’s faces when Aly brings up the Cat Daddy video.
Photo credit: WENN Photos
Sucks to be Kate I guess?
I dont always like her, but I do believe that well behaved women seldom make history.
She has a point but I would necessarily consider her successful. She got down to nothing but her skivvys and dances for creepy Uncle Terry.
It was a mistake. She’ll never be allowed to live it down, I guess. I’m grateful that my mistakes aren’t thrown in my face every single day. She danced in her underwear for a creep and it was filmed. She’s been crucified for it over and over again. Let’s move on. There are women out there who have done far worse, to the detriment of women everywhere.
lmao, this quote sounds like something miranda sings would say.
Depending on what you consider a success. Of course people will always find something wrong with you even if you are nice, hard working and all around good person, but I think success in her view is a professional / money thing.
She looks great. I can’t take anyone who uses the word “haters” seriously.
I wonder if she’d be as successful without her boob job? If she’s comfortable with lying to the public at large about it then that’s up to her.
She is right.
I love all three of her outfits in these photos, especially the black gown. Fits her like a dream. Her stylist is GOOD.
That’s probably true. Note the reason I put probably is because some here seem to deliberately leave that word out just to react to what Kate said. And yes, I actually like Kate Upton. However, I do NOT believe that she can do no wrong.
100 % true, especially for women, especially in the workplace. Sad but true.