The Story Behind the SI Swimsuit Photo Where Kate Upton ‘Channeled Her Inner Pretzel’ in Aruba

The SI Swimsuit model landed three covers throughout her six years being featured in the magazine.

Ananya Panchal | Apr 7, 2023

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Aruba.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

SI Swimsuit model Kate Upton is known for her “anything for the shot” mentality. Remember when she posed in negative degree weather with Derek Kettela in Antarctica, resulting in one of the most iconic cover images in 2013? Or when she went zero gravity with James Macari in ’14?

The 30-year-old has been featured in the magazine six separate years and landed a cover during half of them. She made her debut in 2011 with photographer Raphael Mazzucco in the Philippines and posed for a second body paint feature that year with artist Joanne Gair and shutterbug Stewart Shining.

She’s a modeling legend and an SI Swimsuit veteran, so when Upton brought out her inner contortionist and showed off her flexibility during her 2018 photo shoot in Aruba with Yu Tsai, no one was surprised.

“I am channeling my inner pretzel,” the model said while laying on her side in the sand. Her upper leg was bent at the knee and folded forward. In another segment, the mom of one laid on her lower stomach in the sand and assumed a seal position, reaching her heels for her head.

Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Aruba.
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

In a different snapshot Upton, who is married to Mets pitcher Justin Verlander, donned an orange satin-finish plunge-neck bikini from Beach Riot. She stood on one leg and stretched the other leg up and behind her until she was able to grab her foot with one hand.

Upton was also captured in an upside down plank position, supporting herself with her palms and one foot as the other leg was bent up and resting on a rock.

View the full 2018 gallery in Aruba here.

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Published Apr 7, 2023

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.