Kate Upton and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Controversy
Kate Upton, who recently helped kick off New York's Fashion Week, is rumored to be the next Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Edition cover model. Some have stated issues with the success that some female models receive by posting for the special edition.
The cover spot on Sports Illustrated is usually a coveted one, especially when it comes to the Swimsuit Edition that is released only once a year.
For many, landing the cover of the Swimsuit Edition could mean a huge career booster. That, however, raises an issue for some, who don't feel that women should have to shed clothes in order to boost their career.
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When Tim Tebow made the Sports Illustrated cover, he was fully clothed and placed because he was already considered a rising star. As news has been released that Kate Upton is favored for the cover slot, what she's been most linked to is not success, but dating football player Mark Sanchez.
Still, according to CNBC, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition is the most profitable single-issue magazine franchise in the world and the success that later ensues for models may actually have little to do with taking off their clothes.
"The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue means big business not only for parent company Time Inc., but also for the models, advertisers, fashion designers and locations that grace its pages," CNBC's Sports reported.
CNBC also attributed that success of many models to the magazine.
"Cheryl Tiegs, Elle Macpherson, Rachel Hunter, and Heidi Klum are just a few of the models who have appeared on the cover of the SI Swimsuit Issue. Their careers, along with the magazine sky rocketed to success," CNBC reported.
The news site also cited the success of other models who went on to have successful careers outside modeling.
"Kathy Ireland graced the cover in 1989 … the best selling issue of all time. Landing the cover opened doors for Ireland who today runs Kathy Ireland Worldwide, a marketing and design company that does $1.4 billion in annual sales."
However, many women felt that the edition was unfair and an exploitation of women.
"Women have a really bad union or something. No organization," Ruth Webber wrote on Slate's user blog. "Any self-respecting oppressed group would have the lawyers out. If SI would only put the MALE MODELS in the tiny suits in there. Then there would at least be some equality - twisted, but equal."
