Kate Upton Makes Topless Return on Cover of 'Sports Illustrated' Swimsuit Issue

'Sports Illustrated' still does that swimsuit thing. Kate Upton, for the third time, is on the cover of the newest edition.

February 15, 2017

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, apparently still a thing, revealed Kate Upton as its 2017 cover star Tuesday night. To celebrate her third SI cover, Upton stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live so the host could present America with his own cover design ideas:

Upton was shot in Fiji by photographer Yu Tsai for a total of three collectible covers. According to editor MJ Day, the three covers idea actually came about during the shoot. "We were trying so many different looks on her and each photo was coming back just as great as the next," MJ said Tuesday.

Upton being back on the cover is, by MJ's description, a "full circle moment" for the publication. "We started Kate in her career, and you know, we watched her grow and become not only this worldwide, superstar phenomenon; she changed the direction of the modeling industry," MJ said. "Kate Upton was really this trailblazer that led the way for the Ashley Grahams of the world and everything you're seeing happen that's different in fashion right now."

Upton, who's set to star in William H. Macy's forthcoming film The Layover, was inspired to return to the SI world thanks to MJ's noticeable passion for this issue's theme of acceptance. "For me, it was MJ's passion for having it be this theme and this issue and that's why I wanted to be a part of this magazine again," Upton said. "Those are the campaigns I want to do and the career I want to have—to inspire women to love themselves."

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