MODEL Kate Upton was tipped to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition but her “diva antics” may have cost her. <br />SPORTS Illustrated is releasing its highly anticipated Swimsuit issue on Monday, and sources tell us that it’s likely they will have three covers starring tennis champ Serena Williams, 63-year-old model Christie Brinkley, and possibly Kate Upton. <br />Last year, the magazine also used three covers, which featured curvy model Ashley Graham, Hailey Clauson and mixed martial arts champ Ronda Rousey in body paint. <br />Kate Upton has not commented on her alleged diva antics. Picture: James Macari <br />Kate Upton has not commented on her alleged diva antics. Picture: James MacariSource:Supplied <br />But sources told the New York Post that an appearance by Upton — whose Rookie of the Year pictures in the magazine in 2011 helped make her a star — is still up in the air because of her diva demands. <br />“There was drama,” says the source. “Kate demanded that if she did the shoot, that she absolutely must get the cover. She also had a list of photographers and hair and makeup people she would only work with.” <br />Upton appeared on the magazine’s cover twice, in 2012 and 2013, when she was photographed in Antarctica. <br />Kate Upton appeared on the 2013 cover of Sports Illustrated. Picture: Sports Illustrated <br />Kate Upton appeared on the 2013 cover of Sports Illustrated. Picture: Sports IllustratedSource:Supplied <br />Kate Upton scored the 2012 cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition. Picture: Sports Illustrated <br />Kate Upton scored the 2012 cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition. Picture: Sports IllustratedSource:Supplied <br />The source continued of this time around, “She was being a big f***ing diva. She’s thinks she’s better than everyone because she’s an actress.” <br />Upton appeared in The Other Woman with Leslie Mann and Cameron Diaz in 2014, and the film was panned by critics. She has three films in post-production, including one directed by William H. Macy and another by James Franco. <br />Kate Upton, Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann star together in The Other Woman. Picture: Getty <br />Kate Upton, Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann star together in The Other Woman. Picture: GettySource:Getty Images <br />Kate Uptonand fiance Justin Verlander. Picture: Splash <br />Kate Uptonand fiance Justin Verlander. Picture: SplashSource:Splash News Australia <br />In 2015, Upton — who is engaged to Major League Baseball player Justin Verlander — was the subject of a New York Post article discussing whether her “ego is ‘ruining her career.’” <br />One modelling industry vet said that her “demands became ridiculous.” <br /> <br />This year, Sports Illustrated has already released glam shots of new mom Chrissy Teigen, Nina Agdal and Lais Ribeiro, which means they are unlikely to be on the cover. <br /> <br />Christie Brinkley also shot pics with her two daughters, Alexa Ray, 31, and Sailor, 18. <br />A spokesperson for the mag huffed about the speculation, “It’s that time of year again. Who is in, who’s on the cover, what will they do next? Everyone has a guess, and that’s all this is.” <br />Upton’s rep could not be reached. <br />This article originally appeared in the New York Post
