Kate Upton is no stranger to the Sports Illustrated Cover, in fact this is her third time gracing it. This year she gets three separate special collector’s edition covers. However she has caught heat over them of the non-sexy variety as people have pointed out that the “swimsuits” in question aren’t entirely practical or even swimsuits at all.

Personally I’ve always been a fan of the birthday suit approach to swimsuits, but maybe that’s just me.

If we’re going to nitpick, we should point out that last year they featured a bodypaint section which also wasn’t really a swimsuit.

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue has always been more about celebrating the body.

On Instagram she thanked Sports Illustrated publicly. “Wow, I feel so honored and excited to be back with Sports Illustrated, Thank you @si_swimsuit and @mj_day for inviting me to be part of an issue that features and celebrates beauty and confidence in every shape and size.”

https://twitter.com/SI_Swimsuit/status/831889967781670912

Recreating our #SISwim 2017 cover while behind the scenes at the @todayshow! 😂

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Ashley Graham, who caused a real stir last year is also back talking about body Diversity

She’s back! @theashleygraham talks body diversity in #SISwim.

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