American Teen Model Heats Up Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover The coveted cover model spot of the annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue has gone to teen model Kate Upton, according to TMZ.com. The 19-year-old was the magazine's "Rookie of the Year" in 2011. A Michigan native who was raised in Florida, Upton began her career in 2008 and was the 2010-2011 face of Guess. Upton made her acting debut in last year's comedy "Tower Heist."