The Story Behind the Time Kate Upton Wore Nothing But a Painted-On Necklace in the Bahamas

The three-time SI Swimsuit Issue cover star participated in the body painting photo shoot in 2013.

Kate Upton was photographed by Walter Iooss Jr. in Great Exuma, Bahamas.Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

There’s never a bad time to look back at some of Kate Upton’s most iconic SI Swimsuit photos. The three-time cover star, who was featured in the magazine six separate years, also participated in two body painting features. The mom of one made her debut with the magazine in 2011 as Rookie of the Year and landed her first cover the following year (and her second in ’13 and third in ’17).

She worked with famous artist Joanne Gair in 2013 to recreate a skimpy necklace swimsuit Daniela Pestova wore on the cover of the ’00 issue.

Kate Upton was photographed by Walter Iooss Jr. in Great Exuma, Bahamas.

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

“The day here is perfect. The weather is amazing and I was happy to take off my swimsuit for a little warm weather,” Upton said at the time of her body paint feature with photographer Walter Iooss Jr. in Great Exuma, Bahamas. “The hardest part was by far the necklace. I don’t even know how they did it. They were taking the strands and connecting it to the other side. Taking off the paint, putting it back on—layers and layers.”

“I definitely feel naked, because I am,” she continued. “It is just paint.”

Kate Upton was photographed by Walter Iooss Jr. in Great Exuma, Bahamas.

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

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