MODEL Kate Upton was tipped to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition but her “diva antics” may have cost her.
SPORTS Illustrated is releasing its highly anticipated Swimsuit issue on Monday, and sources tell us that it’s likely they will have three covers starring tennis champ Serena Williams, 63-year-old model Christie Brinkley, and possibly Kate Upton.
Last year, the magazine also used three covers, which featured curvy model Ashley Graham, Hailey Clauson and mixed martial arts champ Ronda Rousey in body paint.
Kate Upton has not commented on her alleged diva antics. Picture: James Macari
Kate Upton has not commented on her alleged diva antics. Picture: James MacariSource:Supplied
But sources told the New York Post that an appearance by Upton — whose Rookie of the Year pictures in the magazine in 2011 helped make her a star — is still up in the air because of her diva demands.
“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.”
Upton appeared on the magazine’s cover twice, in 2012 and 2013, when she was photographed in Antarctica.
Kate Upton appeared on the 2013 cover of Sports Illustrated. Picture: Sports Illustrated
Kate Upton appeared on the 2013 cover of Sports Illustrated. Picture: Sports IllustratedSource:Supplied
Kate Upton scored the 2012 cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition. Picture: Sports Illustrated
Kate Upton scored the 2012 cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition. Picture: Sports IllustratedSource:Supplied
The source continued of this time around, “She was being a big f***ing diva. She’s thinks she’s better than everyone because she’s an actress.”
Upton appeared in The Other Woman with Leslie Mann and Cameron Diaz in 2014, and the film was panned by critics. She has three films in post-production, including one directed by William H. Macy and another by James Franco.
Kate Upton, Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann star together in The Other Woman. Picture: Getty
Kate Upton, Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann star together in The Other Woman. Picture: GettySource:Getty Images
Kate Uptonand fiance Justin Verlander. Picture: Splash
Kate Uptonand fiance Justin Verlander. Picture: SplashSource:Splash News Australia
In 2015, Upton — who is engaged to Major League Baseball player Justin Verlander — was the subject of a New York Post article discussing whether her “ego is ‘ruining her career.’”
One modelling industry vet said that her “demands became ridiculous.”

This year, Sports Illustrated has already released glam shots of new mom Chrissy Teigen, Nina Agdal and Lais Ribeiro, which means they are unlikely to be on the cover.

Christie Brinkley also shot pics with her two daughters, Alexa Ray, 31, and Sailor, 18.
A spokesperson for the mag huffed about the speculation, “It’s that time of year again. Who is in, who’s on the cover, what will they do next? Everyone has a guess, and that’s all this is.”
Upton’s rep could not be reached.
This article originally appeared in the New York Post