Kate Upton covers Vanity Fair, is named model of the year: good pick?

Update: Kate Upton covers the October issue of Vanity Fair, a celebration of their 100 year anniversary.

Here we go, people. Kate Upton, polarizing figure extraordinaire, has been named 2013 Model of the Year, and she’ll receive her award tomorrow at the Style Awards. Very few people have a neutral opinion on Kate, and I personally love her, but she has just as many detractors as she does fans. If anything, the fact that some people are tired of Kate Upton functions as evidence of her supermodel status; that is, being a household name is a job requirement. Ubiquity is key, and Kate has definitely achieved that quality.

Basically, Kate has been everywhere this year, and in just the past few months, we’ve seen her on the cover of Elle and Vogue as well as the pages of Bazaar. I find her to be truly stunning and unforgettable, and I love that she is putting a different body type out there in a positive manner. Now Kate is formally receiving accolades from her peers in the modelling industry:

Kate Upton

As if anyone else could win!

Kate Upton has won the coveted title of 2013 Model of the Year. The buxom blond will formally accept the award at Wednesday night’s 10th Annual Style Awards in New York City.

The event, which kicks off New York Fashion Week, will celebrate the two-time Sports Illustrated model in all her bikini glory. Nicole Richie will be on hand to host the evening’s festivities.

And there’s no doubt that she’s had one heck of a busy year.

Between joining the likes of Kate Moss and b Bündchen as the face of jewelry retailer David Yurman, to filming future Hollywood blockbusters with Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann over the summer, 2013 has been good to Upton.

It doesn’t come easily either…the blond has been working nonstop on her career since her first big break with her debut SI Swimsuit cover in 2011.

She’s even made the difficult transition from bikini model to high fashion starlet by gracing the covers of both American and Brazilian Vogue this year. Impressive!

But given the shots we’ve seen from her one of her many upcoming projects — a role in The Other Woman where she rocks itty-bitty bikinis — we’re not so sure she’s ready to completely retire her two-piece just yet!

Congratulations, girl!

[From E! Online]

While I think Kate is a versatile model with staying power, the fact that she’s trying to move into acting does make me shake my head a little bit. She’ll probably just do this Other Woman movie and maybe another (plus, she was already in Three Stooges), but then her acting career will go the way of Brooklyn Decker and Cindy Crawford. Kate seems like a nice, fun girl with a lot of enthusiasm, but I don’t see her winning any actressin’ awards at any point.

Kate Upton

Kate Upton

Kate Upton

Kate Upton

Kate Upton

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN

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67 Responses to “Kate Upton covers Vanity Fair, is named model of the year: good pick?”

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  1. Anna says:

    I totally love her with curls/tighter waves! She looks like she could be an ingenue in a period (corset) film.

  2. aims says:

    she strikes me as being a bit ditzy. But her cover is lovely.

    • smith says:

      Vacant and empty. It looks like she’s trying to find two IQ points to rub together.

      Add to that the mouth-breathing pose (again) and bad styling (again) – bathing suit cups too low, too close together, too pointy, etc. – it’s not god-awful or anything, just not great.

      The fashion folks keep putting her on covers but they half-ass style her and don’t give her any direction.

      I don’t think they believe in her as much as they want us to …

      • amilu says:

        As for most people, I think she’s far prettier with her mouth closed. So yeah, I think she’s sporting a derp face on the VF cover.

  3. Nina says:

    Good lord, Vanity Fair. Certainly you could afford to dress her in something that fits? The boob area of that bathing suit was clearly designed for a B-cup.

    • Kermit says:

      I said the same thing to myself when looking at that picture – that’s why they chose the one with her bending over. If she stood up straight it would look ridiculous and horrible on her!

    • StormsMama says:

      Gah it’s so annoying when you see a D-cup in a teeny top for the cleavage effect in a photo.
      It reduces all authenticity –
      Hair and make up is one thing
      But don’t insult our intelligence suggesting she’s actually wearing that thing!
      Not sexy 🙁

      Love her though.

    • StormsMama says:

      Gah it’s so annoying when you see a D-cup in a teeny top for the cleavage effect in a photo.
      It reduces all authenticity –
      Hair and make up is one thing
      But don’t insult our intelligence suggesting she’s actually wearing that thing!
      Not sexy 🙁

      Love her though.

  4. Mimi says:

    She’s absolutely gorgeous and has the boobs I have always wanted. She doesn’t have the “look” of the average supermodel and to me, that is a good thing.

    • Spooks says:

      She has a pretty face and a great rack, but her body isn’t that much. She has no waist and her legs aren’t great. There are some plus-sized models who have better bodies, IMO. Tara Lynn is fuller and absolutely gorgeous.

      • Sabrine says:

        She’s very high waisted but still is a beautiful woman. I would never pre-judge and say someone is a bad actor unless I’ve seen them in something and can see for myself.

        The only thing I’d change about her would be to get rid of that mole above her lip. I don’t like it.

      • LAK says:

        Sabrine – That is tha exact thing Cindy Crawford was told about her mole. Repeatedly advised to remove it and she refused. It certainly made her stand out in an era of identikit models.

      • Lilo says:

        Big boobs do not a plus-size model make. I think it’s sad to declare a woman with big boobs as plus size when in reality she is still rather thin and long legged. I wish the plus-size label would be used “correctly”, on women with wider hips and some booty. With visible extra weight. Else it’s just a normal body type with big boobs. As a smaller, heavier girl with big boobs myself I can’t identify with the so called plus-size models as they are still waaaay thinner than me (I am not overweight!).

  5. Jen says:

    She looks nice, but Vanity Fair is such a joke. All they cover are dead celebrities and random people dressed up like Marilyn all the time.

  6. smee says:

    I like the hair & make-up on the VF cover and I think she was a good pick for MOTY, but I do not like the fit of the bust or the color of her satin garment – not really flattering to her best assets.

  7. nicegirl says:

    Congratulations, Kate!!! awesome

  8. Chicagogurl says:

    She always looks like a crossbread of Ameber Heard and Ivanka Trump to me. Go her and her manager. That’s a lot of wonderful hustling they’ve accomplished this year.

  9. TheCountess says:

    The only thing I really dislike about her is the apparent affinity for Terry Richardson. Well, and every story about her brings out the trolls calling her “fat” in droves *eye roll*

  10. siobhan says:

    I think she is gorgeous but not particularly talented as a model.

  11. bns says:

    I don’t even hate her, but she’s a terrible model. Awful cover, too.

  12. dahlianoir says:

    beautiful woman, wish her the best.

  13. shitler says:

    Gooooooooo Kate!
    Love this girl

  14. ROBERTA says:

    Love this girl! Yes she looks like your average dumb blonde but she is brilliant. She is definitely milking the cow all the way good for her.

  15. Nev says:

    ugh.seriously.

  16. Jegede says:

    Wow Vogue – UK,US,Italia,Brazil
    Elle
    CR
    SI x 2
    Now Vanity Fair!
    Werk girl

  17. Melissa says:

    I’m still waiting for the next blonde that isn’t styled like a Monroe on a cover of a major magazine.

    That being said, this girl started to get on my nerves but now she has grown on me. I still refuse to fawn over her because she has a big chest, but I feel that she’s professional, overall harmless, and has been working for over 5 years before she was being shoved down our throats. At some point, anyone deserves some success. So kudos to her and I hope she milks all of it before the next It girl/blonde “bombshell” comes along/

  18. MollyB says:

    I think she’s beautiful and has a lovely, healthy-looking figure. She seems sweet and unpretentious.

  19. Faye says:

    I am neutral on her. I don’t see her as lasting “supermodel” material, but she’s ok, and it doesn’t bother me that she’s getting a lot of attention. Good for her.

    On the other hand, is that blue bag the Lauren “Ricky” bag I’ve been coveting? And she has one? Beyooootch. Now I’m not neutral anymore, because I have handbag envy :).

  20. Post-Its says:

    I think I’m just spoiled from the Cindy/Christy/Naomi/Linda era. They were supermodels. They had it going on. Kate is beautiful. But not a supermodel.

  21. Tiffany says:

    I am just happy that there are models ( as their profession) back on magazine covers. How many times can I see the same actress rotate magazines every year.

  22. Ellen says:

    It looks like Vanity Fair got sample-size clothes for Upton — does ANYONE think that suit is zipped in back? Come ON. Respect your models, shell out cash for clothes that fit THEIR bodies. Sheesh.

  23. paige says:

    model types really change over the decades and right now this BOMBSHELL is the darling…people can debate it while she is doing her thing and running to the bank.

    • phillkatt says:

      She doesn’t have to run to the bank. She’s an heiress to the Whirlpool fortune — yes, one of her grandparents started the company. The rich get richer and rest of us just survive (sigh).

    • Adrien says:

      How many more famous models her age a have body type like her?

  24. lamamu says:

    If only she had a playful twinkle in her eye, this cover would be fabulous. The best models know how it’s done: how to create a sense of mystery and intelligence wrapped inside all that beauty.

    This poor girl doesn’t. She’s just a beautiful body.

  25. j.eyre says:

    Bravo to Ms. Upton.

  26. houseofbeatrix says:

    Great face. Great tits. She can sell makeup and bras, no doubt. However, I do not see her as a SUPERmodel or couture. She’s entirely commercial, which is excellent for her already swollen bank account.

  27. HK9 says:

    This is Vanity Fair’s anniversary edition and all they could come up with is a pedestrian looking model????? Oh my….things are getting bad there. 🙁

  28. Mia says:

    She is just such a cute girl. I can’t understand how she is polarizing. I think she needs a few more years to fully master this modeling thing though. No matter what though, even when her pictures aren’t spot on, she makes you happy to see her.

  29. Chutzpah says:

    She looks like every single Wag/Socialite/Slone in Britain – really bland bone structure and looks – the only thing she has going for her is at least her tata’s are natural – though Vanity Fait didn’t actually bother to give her an outfit that actually fitted them – is this as good as it gets – she is even dressed up Playboy Bunny style.

    Urghhh

    • anet says:

      her face is very round with small eyes, no shape…not sexually attractive at all…and you’re so right about her boobs.

      obviously men (the gate keepers in modeling, arts/entertainment) are stupid when it comes to what an attractive woman is….I could swear it was beyond a couple round boobies.

  30. Diana says:

    Unforgettable? She’s just another big-boob blonde who can’t seem to be able to close her mouth.

  31. Abby says:

    Good for her. I used to work for a horse breed association and I remember her showing at our shows. I’ve worked with her sister in the past as well. Definitely my closest “really” famous encounter. I’m glad she’s making this modeling thing work 🙂

  32. snappyfish says:

    I think her figure is lovely, very feminine and soft. I am tired of women who look like they never eat being held up as the ideal. she has a pretty face but she needs to stop with the open mouthed thing.

    then again, I think most actresses/models need to close their mouths more.

  33. Micha says:

    She seems to be a nice girl, and I really don’t hate her or her look – it’s just not my favorite. And come on, the girl doesn’t really know how to pose, i mean look at Coco Rocha or Anna Selezneva. These girls know how to model. I’m all for diversity in the industry though. So if they found someone with Kates proportions who actually knows what they’re doing, that’d be awesome.

  34. Patty says:

    The only thing I dislike about Kate Upton is something that is not her fault. I hate that she is paraded around and used to illustrate fashions acceptance of curvy models. She is not curvy. Having a huge rack does not make a woman curvy. She is about as curvy as GBundchen; she just has huge boobs. And I will admit that I personally think Kate is cute I don’t think she is stunning or drop dead gorgeous.

    • Sullivan says:

      She’s no bean pole. She looks curvy to me, but maybe I don’t know what it means to describe a woman as “curvy.”

      • Patty says:

        Curvy women are those women who have an hourglass shape. Meaning they tend to have a full bust, hips, and a narrow waist. Generally speaking to be classified as curvy/hourglass the bust and hip shield be equal or as close to equal as possible. For a long time this was considered he ideal shape and 36-24-36 were considered the perfect measurements.

        Being curvy is a body type. You can be petite and curvy ( think Jennifer Love Hewitt). Famous actresses like Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren had/have the hourglass body type, both of whom were of average size or you can be plus sized and curvy ( the model Emme from the 90’s).

        Unfortunately the term has been hijacked and used instead to describe any woman with big boobs and/or used to describe any woman who isn’t model thin.

        I have no problems with Kate Uptons figure or shape because women have different body types, what she isn’t though, is curvy. She is more of a banana with big boobs – and that is completely normal ( the shape not the boobs); most women have that body type.

  35. Turtle Dove says:

    Model of the year, but she couldn’t get a decent dress for the MET Gala. I think that’s more telling about her name in the industry.

  36. Denise says:

    Tits of the Year, for sure. I’m not sure being dressed up differently with the same expression all the time makes for a versatile model. She’s posing with that cover, isn’t that one of them that not so long ago she said she was embarrassed by?

    I’m holding nothing against the girl herself, I think she’s very pretty, very young and learning her way through the industry and life, and don’t begrudge her any of her success. Thank you Kate for not being famous for a sex tape.

  37. Adrien says:

    Yeah, good pick. Back to back Sports Illustrated, Vogue and so on. It’s been a good year for her. I don’t think that healthy, bossomy figure is going to be the norm in the fashion biz tho.

  38. redd says:

    big belly. who cares?

  39. TherapyCranes says:

    She is so gorgeous. That is all.

  40. Emily says:

    I was never particularly fond to Kate Upton, didn’t understand the fuss, and was always quick to point out her lack of hips, a waist, and a behind… Until I gave it some thought of what it must feel like to be a celeb and have people tear you down so much. I don’t think she was the model of the year.. I think Miranda Kerr has had an amazing year and is more of an actual “model” as opposed to limited to Sports Illustrated. I’m not feminist, but I wish people could stop tearing this girl apart for her shape. She is only 21 years old.

  41. Emily says:

    Is it just me, or does she kind of look like Swifty in the top photo?

  42. PrettyTarheelFan says:

    I think she is beautiful, but her bone structure seems weak to me. I prefer my models with really strong facial structure and planes and she doesn’t have that-but that’s only MY preference. That being said, I’m happy she has a great career and that she’s hustled and worked her way in without starvation. Good for her.

  43. RobinS says:

    She’s a pretty girl but her face catalogue, not fashion. And definitely not supermodel.