Kate Upton named hottest woman in the world by Maxim
Kate Upton has topped Maxim's Hot 100 list, beating last year's Hailey Baldwin. Maxim announced the news on Thursday and debuted the cover for its July/August issue featuring Kate.
Prior to this, people like Stella Maxwell and Taylor Swift landed the first spot in 2016 and 2015, respectively.
"Our annual Hot 100 issue is about so much more than physical beauty, although this year's nominees have that in spades," Robert Price, Chief Operating Officer for Maxim, said in a statement. "Now more than ever, we need to celebrate smart, powerful women who are breaking boundaries, shattering glass ceilings and showing us what is possible—none more so than our incredibly talented cover star, Kate Upton."
Talking to the magazine, Kate revealed that she was overjoyed to top the list. "You know, I work really hard on myself: on feeling good, working out, being strong. Being number one on the Hot 100 is a little reward for all of the hard work," she said.
At the same time, Kate recalled how her fate was decided when she was unexpectedly spotted at age 12 while leaving a Florida horse show. "I was a horseback rider, so growing up around the barn, you don't really think of yourself being in the fashion industry," she recalled.
It was the opportunities that opened the gates of success for her. "It seemed very glamorous," she remembered. "You know, being able to travel and meet new people and experience new things."
She also reflected back on her first modeling gig in which she had to travel in Peru and Israel.
"I was so excited," she said of both experiences. "It was one of my bucket-list trips. Israel is such a new country, but obviously with such old, rooted history. I went to Jerusalem and to the Dead Sea and floated around; my mom came with me."
At the same time, her close friends and family are still an integral part of her life. "I think because I was the third child, that's why I'm so loud and annoying," she said jokingly. "I'm always trying to get attention."
On Instagram, Kate posted a shoutout to the magazine: "Thanks @maximmag for naming me No1 hottest woman 2018! Shot by the amazing @gilles_bensimon in Israel! #MaximHot100"
Her husband and best friend, Justin Verlander has also been her support system. "I got to marry my best friend," she said. "He's an amazing man. He's so supportive and focused and motivated, and he inspires me every day. I'm so very lucky that he's my husband."
Kate has recently launched a 12-week fitness program and meal-delivery service, Strong4Me Fitness. "I wanted to give every woman the access to information that I have," she explained.
"When I'm preparing for a role or a shoot, the easiest way for me to get into shape is not to think about it or worry about it. Now, every woman will have what I have." The magazine will reveal the rest of the 2018 honorees in the coming days.
Others on the Maxim Hot 100 list? Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Gigi and Bella Hadid, and Melania and Ivanka Trump.