Kate Upton discusses landing her first Swimsuit cover, being called fat

Kate Upton reveals what it was like to land the cover of SI Swimsuit as a teenager.

Kate Upton in 2012

Being a successful model is difficult work. Being a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model at age 19 is a near-impossible task, and one that Kate Upton knows all too well. The Florida native graced the cover in 2012 while still a teenager, and still remembers the negative feedback she received. Kate sat down during SI Swimsuit Launch Week to chat with fellow models Hailey Clauson, Sailor Brinkley-Cook and Aly Raisman about the challenges she faced back in 2012.

During a Facebook Live, Kate explained that the excitement of landing the cover was tainted at first by the negativity surrounding her body. ​"After my first cover, we were discussing whether I was fat or not," Kate recalls. "And for me as a 19-year-old, I was like 'What? Am I fat? What is going on?' I had this huge moment in my career and they were tearing it apart."

​

But the experience, as painful as it was at the time, made Kate a tougher person.

"I have to thank the people who did that because it really made me sit back and find out who I really was, what meant something me and how I thought about my body," she said. "At 19, I wasn't thinking about that. I knew I worked out, ate healthy and tried to be the best at my job I possibly could. And now I sit here thinking 'Wow, all that discussion about whether I was fat or not came from real pain from women.' They lashed out at me because they felt insecure about themselves."

We're glad Kate didn't listen to the haters. She's back on the cover of SI Swimsuit 2017 and looking better than ever!

BONUS: See all of Kate's stunning photos from SI Swimsuit 2017!

Yu Tsai

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by d.bleu.dazzled, available at etsy.com.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by

Beauty & the Beach.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by

TeenyB Bikini Couture

. Jacket by

Alexandre Vauthier

.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by

Norma Kamali

, available at

revolve.com

.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by Charmosa Swimwear.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by Agent Provocateur.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by Cali Dreaming. Top by Calvin Klein.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by

d.bleu.dazzled

, available at

etsy.com

. Shorts by Levi's.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by Ola Vida.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by HAUS OF PINKLEMONAID.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by Agent Provocateur.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by

TeenyB Bikini Couture

. Jacket by

Alexandre Vauthier

.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by milkbaby bikini by Cat Thordarson.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Belts by Luv Aj.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by Agent Provocateur.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Bottom by TeenyB Bikini Couture. Top by Perfect Peach Swimwear.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by Norma Kamali, available at revolve.com.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by HAUS OF PINKLEMONAID.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by Agent Provocateur.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Dress by Cali Dreaming.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by

d.bleu.dazzled

, available at

etsy.com

.

Shorts by

Levi's

.

Kate Upton

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by Charlie by Matthew Zink. Top by G.Dias.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Dress by

Cali Dreaming

.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by Monica Hansen Beachwear.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Fiji. Swimsuit by

Norma Kamali

, available at

revolve.com

.