The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover: Kate Upton, 19

In this cover image released by Time Inc. on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, model Kate Upton graces the cover of the "Sports Illustrated 2012 Swimsuit Issue." The double issue is now on sale at newsstands, tablet, mobile and on SI.com/Swimsuit. (AP Photo/Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated) NORTH AMERICA USE ONLY UNTIL MARCH 2, 2012. MANDATORY CREDIT: WALTER IOOSS JR/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

In this image released by Sports Illustrated on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, model Kate Upton is shown in a photo from the "Sports Illustrated 2012 Swimsuit Issue." Upton also graces the cover of the double issue now on sale at newsstands, tablet, mobile and at SI.com/Swimsuit. (AP Photo/Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated) NORTH AMERICA USE ONLY UNTIL MARCH 2, 2012. MANDATORY CREDIT: WALTER IOOSS JR/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Video: Get a peak at the SI swimsuit cover At landing.newsinc.com

High school sports results for May 26
5/26/12
Reds' six-game winning streak broken
5/26/12
Annual Warrior Soccer Classic kicks off today
5/26/12
Dragons' rally falls short against Lansing
5/26/12
WSU baseball ousted from tournament
5/26/12
> More sports headlines

By SAMANTHA CRITCHELL, The Associated Press Updated 12:21 PM Tuesday, February 14, 2012

NEW YORK — She's a Florida girl who's comfortable in a bikini, and now 19-year-old model Kate Upton is on the cover of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

She wears a tiny red-and-brown, sparkle-covered string bikini with a view of the waters of Australia behind her as she poses for the magazine cover, which was unveiled on TV Monday night on "Late Show with David Letterman" on CBS.

"That was one of the first photos from the first shoot," she said in a telephone interview before the big reveal. "It was my favorite swimsuit. ... I felt sexy in it but confident."

Upton, 5 feet 10, was born in Michigan but raised in Florida. Her hometown is Melbourne, on the state's east coast.

"In Florida, people walk around in their flip-flops, bikinis and jean shorts, so I'm very comfortable in a bathing suit," she said.

The 2012 magazine cover is her second time appearing in the annual SI issue that's the equivalent of the Super Bowl for models. Last year, when Irina Shayk was on the cover, Upton was chosen as rookie of the year.

"I have had a great year," she said. "For me, this is groundbreaking."

A huge perk of the job as the official swimsuit model is visiting lovely beaches, including shoots for the magazine in Sydney and Cairns, Australia, and Florida.

She said living a healthy lifestyle for her includes working out regularly with a personal trainer and watching what she eats. But there's no special diet to prepare for a bikini shoot, she said, and she admits to splurging on the occasional ice cream or plate of fries.

Christie Brinkley and Elle Macpherson are among the now celebrity models who previously had this gig. Upton said, "I am so glad to be in their company."

___

CBS is a division of CBS Corp.

___

Online:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/

http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/

___

February 14, 2012 05:18 PM EST

Share this article