Kate Upton's Dedication Proves She Was Best Choice for Sports Illustrated Cover

Supermodel Kate Upton is a lot of things, but she’s certainly not a complainer.

Upton’s second stint on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue proves how dedicated she is to what she does. When other models were rolling around in the sun and the sand, she was in Antarctica wearing nothing but a bikini.

Yes, it’s come to the point where supermodels are risking hypothermia and frostbite to make people happy. She had this to say about her experience on Today on NBC Tuesday (per Reuters.com):

"It was freezing. I'm from Florida, so it wasn't easy for me. When I came back, I was losing my hearing and eyesight. My body was shutting down because it was working so hard to keep me warm."

Upton joins Christie Brinkley, Tyra Banks and Elle Macpherson as the only models to adorn the cover of the SI Swimsuit Issue multiple times. Her fame has reached new heights, and there may not be a more recognizable woman on the planet right now.

It can’t all be fun and games, though.

It’s easy to assume the lifestyle of a supermodel is easy—and let’s be honest, there are plenty of jobs that could be much, much worse. But it isn’t what she does that makes Upton so successful. Dedication is the mark of a true professional, and she’s as dedicated as anyone in the business. Her willingness to do what others probably wouldn’t proves that.

Sports Illustrated may not be showcasing the world of sport with its swimsuit issue, but there is something intrinsically appropriate about featuring someone so driven on its cover. After all, drive and determination are what separate the best athletes from all the rest, and that holds true for any profession—yes, even modeling.

Sports Illustrated senior editor M.J. Day was impressed with the way Upton dedicated herself to the shoot in Antarctica, where wind chill temperatures were as low as negative 20 degrees (as quoted by Reuters):

“We should name a passageway after her down there. She braved six days in a bikini while we were head-to-toe in jackets...No one will ever accuse her of being a whiny model, ever.”

There are more demanding professions to have, but there’s something to be said for someone who does even the difficult things without complaining.

A job well done is its own reward, and while Upton is certainly being rewarded for her efforts with magazine covers and massive publicity, she’s proving that she’s as hard working as anyone in her industry.