Sports Illustrated revealed the three “collector’s” covers of its annual swimsuit issue Wednesday morning, and model/star of The Other Woman Kate Upton is on all of them. The typical SI reader may not be surprised by this, as she’s been on the cover twice before, but those who keep up with magazines about gently obscured nipples and Page Six may notice something sort of interesting.
Just last week, they published a story regarding rumors that Upton was “throwing a diva fit” about being on the cover. At the time, sources told them she would be on one of the three, while Serena Williams and Christie Brinkley would “likely” nab the other two.
“There was drama,” says the source. “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.”
[…]
“She was being a big f - - king diva. She’s thinks she’s better than everyone because she’s an actress.”
Let’s ignore the line about Upton thinking she’s “better than everyone because she’s an actress” (it’s putting me in hysterics) and focus on the conclusion to be made here: Kate Upton may have demanded that she get all three covers—even though Christie Brinkley is infinitely more famous and Serena Williams is a living sports legend. And Sports Illustrated didn’t tell her no—even though the “theme” of this year’s issue is “body diversity and age inclusivity.”
I’m impressed because she got exactly what she wanted. I’m annoyed because all three cover photos are bad and Serena’s would have been better.