Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it's basically impossible to find flaws in models who are featured in the yearly Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. There are always a couple who stand out from the pack, though, which helps them further their modeling career.

Here are three models who will steal the spotlight after the 2012 issue is released.

 

Kate Upton

33725-500w_original Courtesy: models.com

There's nothing better than somebody who looks as great as Upton yet can still hold their own playing sports. She recently played in the Celebrity Beach Bowl prior to the Super Bowl and also participated in the celebrity softball game before last year's MLB All-Star Game.

She's widely considered one of the favorites to grace the cover of the issue, which would be a deserved honor after being the breakout star of the 2011 edition. Perhaps the most amazing part of it all is the fact she's only 19 years old. She's the fastest rising star in modeling.

 

Cintia Dicker

Model-cintia-dicker_crop_650 Courtesy: nathalietraube.fr

Dicker is a Swimsuit Issue veteran, having appeared in the last three editions. Her red hair has always made her stand out from the crowd, but this could be the year she finally steals the show from all of her blonde and brunette counterparts.

She was born in Brazil but is of German descent. The contrast between her hair color and blue eyes immediately draws your attention in, and then her natural beauty takes over. She might not be a strong contender for the cover this year, but a strong showing will put her in contention for 2013.

 

Hilary Rhoda

5006_hilary-rhoda-bikini-twitter-02_original Courtesy: egotastic.com

Rhoda might not have the same name recognition as Upton or Dicker at this point, but this will be the issue which changes that. Even though she's appeared in the magazine three times before, she's still waiting for her big break.

The American has appeared in ads for Estee Lauder and several other big-name companies in the past, but Sports Illustrated success tends to provide a boost to models. That should be the case for Rhoda this year, who certainly isn't lacking on the hotness scale.