kate upton bikini

Upton was born in St. Joseph, Michigan[5] and raised in Melbourne, Florida. She has three siblings.[citation needed] Her uncle is Fred Upton, the US Representative for Michigan's 6th congressional district.[6] An avid horseback rider, she showed for the American Paint Horse Association and competed on a national level.[7] With her horse Roanie Pony, she won three APHA Reserve World Championships, in 13 and Under Western Riding, 13 and Under Horsemanship and 14-18 Western Riding and named the 13 and Under Reserve All-Around Champion at the APHA World Championship Show, giving her a total of five championships. In addition, Upton ended up third overall on the APHA youth Top Twenty. With a second horse, Zipped, she won 14-18 Western Riding and was top 5 in 14-18 Horsemanship and 14-18 Western Pleasure in 2009.[8]

In 2008, Upton attended a casting call in Miami for Elite Model Management[5] and was signed by them the same day. She eventually moved to New York City, where she signed with IMG Models.[5]

Upton first modeled for Garage,[5] then Dooney & Bourke. She is the 2010–11 face of Guess.[citation needed] In 2011, Upton appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She was featured in the body paint section and named Rookie of the Year for the issue.[5] She has since modeled for Beach Bunny swimwear and Victoria's Secret.[2]

In April 2011, an internet video of her doing the Dougie at a Los Angeles Clippers game went viral and has served to increase her popularity.[7][9][10]

Upton made an appearance in a June 2011 episode of Tosh.0, participating in a segment called "Knife or Banana", emulating a Japanese game show in which she is stabbed with a banana.[11]

In June 2011, Upton was named Esquire Magazine's "The Woman of the Summer".[12]

In July 2011, Upton played in 2011 Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona