Sports Illustrated's 2012 Swimsuit edition comes off as pretty cocky in its introduction of its covergirl, 19-year-old model Kate Upton. The coverline blares, "KATE UPTON (ANY QUESTIONS?)" as if to ask even one would be simply delusional. Because after all, the almost nude photo of the not-a-girl, not-yet-a-woman should just speak for itself, right?
That it does. But to many of us, it speaks volumes about what's completely and utterly wrong with the representation of women -- especially teen girls -- in the media today. Kate Upton might be welcome eye candy to many a drooling American male, but the impression she's bound to make on American teen girls is anything but positive.
Upton has said that being on the cover of the Swimsuit edition was her "dream," and she's gotten attention in the past for doing the "Dougie" dance on YouTube. But there has to be more to her than that, right ...?
More from The Stir: 'Sports Illustrated' Swimsuit Edition Is a Teen Boy's Dream & This Mom Is Cool With That
Sadly, the only details floating around about Upton today have to do with how comfortable she is in her bikini ("I felt sexy in it but confident") and how she's from Florida ... oh, and how that relates to her bikini ("In Florida, people walk around in their flip-flops, bikinis, and jean shorts, so I'm very comfortable in a bathing suit!"). Also, let's not forget about her workout regimen (with a personal trainer, gee, how original!), diet (she "watches what she eats" ... earth-shattering!), and the fact that she apparently "splurges on the occasional ice cream or plate of fries." She's also rumored to be in a relationship with NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez. WOW.
But hold up a sec. What are Upton's actual talents, accomplishments? Does she volunteer for charities, surf, go to college??
It's very likely that it's not Upton's fault that she's been portrayed this vapid, superficial, sex object way. Maybe it just comes with the territory of being a swimsuit cover model. But it makes my heart hurt to think of young women around the same age as Upton aspiring to be anything like the model's public image. Our daughters deserve to see women, especially their peers, in the spotlight doing more and being lauded for more than looking hot.
More from The Stir: Get Kate Upton's Look -- Even If You Aren't a Swimsuit Model
Upton says for her, this is "groundbreaking." But for teen girls who are looking at the model's story and thinking that's the key to success, power, recognition, fame, fortune, it's toxic. I sure as hell hope there's an antidote to Upton ... perhaps in the form of mothers and other loved ones praising young women for their intellectual pursuits. Or other teen role models out there known for more than feeling "sexy but confident" in a teeny bikini.
What kind of message do you think someone like Kate Upton is sending our teen girls? Do you approve or not so much?
Image via Sports Illustrated
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Comments 31
Cafe Suzanne- This is the swimsuit issue. There is always a picture of a scantily clad (read- swimsuit) model on the cover.
Also, she is obviously into some sort of fitness because you could bounce small children off her abs!
Come on! It's a men's magazine and everyone knows it. Why get so heated over it?
I am confused about the two different articles one calling her toxic one calling her a teen boys dream...(which lets all be honest here she is) So what I got out of the two articles it's cool for boys to gawk at her and do "stuff" but she's bad for girls... And she is a model...so she's hired for pretty not for smarts!
her job is to be hot...
lighten up francis.
cafe suzanne...i think anna kornikova(sp) was once on...
so anyone see henry cavill on mens heath.... i enjoyed objectifying him.
Oh yes...I'd much rather my daughter be a fat girl than a healthy one. (eyeroll)
Kate Upton is a legal adult, and has every right to earn a living however way she sees fit. If your daughter has a role model that isn't you, then YOU have parenting issues. I didn't 'idolize' any celebrity, and neither does my kid.
It's freaking SI.... wait till next month for the Playboy magazine, you'll have lots to say then.
Seriously, she is a model who was hired to be on the front cover of the SWIMSUIT ISSUE of SI.
If you're going to pick on a model on the front cover of a magazine, pick a magazine that's more relatable like Cosmo or something.
Ponychaser, people like to come up with reasons for a person's actions. Making a useless post about a model being portrayed as nothing more than eye candy for a male's magazine (swimsuit issue no less) does lead one to think the author has something personal against her. There are better magazines (in the sense that they are targeted to women and young girls) to criticize.
Last year, Irina Shayk was on the swimsuit SI cover. She had a more useful article on the stir: basically, she didn't shave her legs for that shoot because her leg hair is thin and light. Not a big deal, but much more useful than this article.
Sure students of society or culture may come to that realization. But graduates of society, culture, or life realize the power of parental influence.
It seems that you also may need to get over it if you allow the media or society hold such an influence on you or your children.