Third time’s a charm! Bombshell Kate Upton shows off her incredible curves as she poses topless on the cover of 2017 … – Daily Mail

So much for being too much of a diva.

Despite reports that on-set bad behavior caused this Swimsuit edition veteran to fall out of favor, Kate Upton has landed Sports Illustrated’s coveted cover for the third time.

The 24-year-old was revealed as the star of the 2017 edition on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday and the issue was immediately projected onto the Empire State Building in New York.

Cover star: Kate Upton was revealed as the cover model of the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue on Tuesday

The 2017 edition marks the third time that Kate has starred on the cover and to recognize that, this year there will be three different versions celebrating her famed curves.

The magazine helped launch Kate’s career when she first appeared in 2011 and was named Rookie of the Year honor.

She went on to land the cover back-to-back in 2012 and 2013, which saw her become a household name.

Kate told Jimmy Kimmel that she only found out on Monday that she had once again made the cover.

 Pick a favorite: The 2017 edition marks the third time that Kate has starred on the cover and to recognize that, this year there will be three different versions celebrating her famed curves

The model had been trying to find out whether three times was a charm for days.

She said: ‘They’re very difficult to read they totally ghost you.’

While sworn to secrecy, the Other Woman star confessed she had told some family members and fiance Justin Verlander.

‘Hand placement was very important’: The star joked that the magazine issue should be called ‘Sports Illustrated Nude Magazine’

She’s a professional: Editor MJ Day said Kate was so good in her shoot they could not pick just one photograph

‘I would say don’t tell me secrets,’ she confessed with a laugh.

While it may be a swimsuit issue, Kate certainly does not wear just any old bikini on the covers.

In the raciest image, the blonde wears basically just a piece rope with her hand across her bust.

Golden girl: Inside the magazine, the 24-year-old gets a chance to wear a full bikini top and all

‘So honored’: Kate took to Instagram as soon as she had wrapped her appearance on the late show saying she was so glad to be back

Kate joked: ‘I’m pretty sure it’s Sports Illustrated Nude Magazine.’

In another image she is also topless, or as Kate described: ‘In this one, it’s just a necklace – the hand placement was very important.’ 

Editor MJ Day said Kate was so good in her shoot they could not pick just one photograph.

The big reveal: The 24-year-old was revealed as the star of the 2017 edition on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday

Big secret: The model had been trying to find out whether three time was a charm for days, ‘They’re very difficult to read they totally ghost you’

The editor told Sports Illustrated: ‘We didn’t start off with the idea of three covers, regardless of who was on the cover but when Kate was actually shooting, we were trying so many different looks on her and each photo was coming back just as great as the next. 

‘It’s a full circle moment for us. We started Kate in her career, and you know, we watched her grow and become not only this worldwide, superstar phenomenon; she changed the direction of the modeling industry. Kate Upton was really this trailblazer that led the way for the Ashley Grahams of the world and everything you’re seeing happen that’s different in fashion right now.’

Speaking to the magazine, Kate said it was a pleasure to be asked back: ‘I was very excited when MJ asked me to be back in the issue,’ Kate said about her return. ‘Especially when this year’s theme is about every woman of every age and every body type being accepted. It was inspiring to be asked to be a part of that issue.’

Broke the rules: While sworn to secrecy, the Other Woman star confessed she had told some family members and fiance Justin Verlander

Fake out: Jimmy revealed a number of joke covers before showing the real one 

Many Kate fans had feared that they would not get to see the curvy stunner back on the cover after a report that she had fallen out with the magazine.

Page Six reported that she had been cut after her alleged diva-like demands became too much to bear. 

There was drama,’ explained a source. ‘Kate demanded that if she did the shoot, that she absolutely must get the cover.’

Go big or go home: The show crossed to New York where her cover was projected onto the Empire State Building

Not a record yet: She still needs to get a few more covers to beat Elle Macpherson, who currently holds top honors with five covers

In addition to her cover-or-nothing attitude, the five-foot ten-inch talent also had a strict ‘list of photographers and hair and makeup people she would only work with.’

Another modeling industry vet also said that Kate’s ‘demands became ridiculous.’ 

Obviously this was not the case, but she still needs to get a few more covers to beat Elle Macpherson, who currently holds top honors for number of covers after starring on five. 

This year’s Sports Illustrated has already been an eventful one with different shapes and ages celebrated alongside feminism and the return of some SI favorites.

Big debut: The model landed her first cover in 2012, just a year after being featured in the magazine for the first time 

She’s back: Kate then surprised by getting her second SI cover the following year

On Monday it was revealed that Hannah Davis – aka Mrs. Derek Jeter – shot her sultry bikini spread while pregnant.

It is the 26-year-old’s beauty fifth time in the magazine and she posed for the publication in tiny bikinis just weeks after learning she was with child. 

New mom Chrissy Teigen also returned to the magazine’s glossy pages showing off her post-baby body, nine months after giving birth to daughter Luna.

Baby on board: On Monday it was revealed that Hannah Davis – aka Mrs. Derek Jeter – shot her sultry bikini spread while pregnant

She’s back: New mom Chrissy Teigen also returned to the magazine’s glossy pages showing off her post-baby body, nine months after giving birth to daughter Luna

The former cover star said in a DirecTV special about this issue: ‘It’s been a while since I’ve done anything in a swimsuit – I haven’t shot since baby.’

While both Hannah and Chrissy are veterans to the iconic issue, SI had another big name and former cover star up its sleeve – Christie Brinkley.

The 63-year-old posed up with newcomers to SI, her two daughters, Alexa Joel and Sailor Cook.

Family picture: Christie Brinkley posed up with newcomers to SI, her two daughters, Alexa Joel and Sailor Cook

Cover star: Last year, SI released three different covers of its Swimsuit edition one of which featured model Ashley Graham

Also joining the exclusive SI model club was Olympic Gold Medalists Simone Biles and Aly Raisman.

Last year, SI released three different covers of its Swimsuit edition with models Ashley Graham and Hailey Clauson as well as former champion MMA fighter Ronda Rousey.

The annual magazine issue has become a launching pad for models careers and has seen beauties like Kathy Ireland, Cheryl Tiegs, Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum grace its pages.

Three times a charm: Last also included Hailey Clauson as well as former champion MMA fighter Ronda Rousey