"I was in a very dark and twisted place" - When Justin Verlander's wife Kate Upton got real about media blitz following her iconic swimsuit cover

By Krutik Jain

Modified Mar 27, 2025 13:22 GMT

MLB: All Star-Red Carpet Show - Source: Imagn — When Justin Verlander's wife Kate Upton got real about media blitz following her iconic swimsuit cover - Image Source: Imagn

Justin Verlander's wife, Kate Upton, landed her first major break after featuring on the cover of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition at just 19 years old. Since then, she attracted a lot of fame, both positive and negative, as some detractors commented on her body, which took a serious toll on her mental health.

In a candid interview for the Skimm’s podcast "Skimm’d from The Couch" in August 2024, Upton shared the mental toil she was subjected to following her first cover appearance on the legendary magazine. The public perception - both negative and positive - just became too overwhelming for her.

"It was not great," Upton said. "A lot of [the attention] was negative, and even the positive stuff was really creepy."

The aftermath also saw several news outlets and tabloids discussing whether Upton was "fat." The constant commentary left Upton feeling deeply insecure.

"I took [all the criticism] in, and it was all around me," she said. "It got to me so much. I was in a very dark and twisted place."

At the time, Upton was unreachable and even her family's support couldn't help her come out of the bad state.

"I hated myself," Upton added. "I was really wondering why I would expose myself to this kind of criticism. I don't want to be exposed to stuff like this."

Criticism led Justin Verlander's wife Kate Upton to explore more about bodies

Syndication: Palm Beach Post - Source: Imagn

Instead of getting emotionally drained by hearing the constant commentary around her body, Kate Upton used it as motivation to learn more about her body. She started seeing fitness as a way to gain strength than means to lose weight.

"I decided I needed to learn about our bodies," Upton said in the same interview. "I wanted to know what it was all about. Why are we working out? Not to get skinny, 'cause that couldn't motivate me anymore. Because I was just dead inside on that subject."

Her further thoughts on the topic eventually led her to the creation of Strong4Me Fitness with her trainer Ben Bruno. It is a 12-week fitness program designed for individuals who can exercise at home.

Upton also wants her platform to empower and make women feel confident about themselves.

Over time, Upton has grown into a top voice in the fashion industry, especially breaking several stereotypes among models. Off the field, she enjoys life with Justin Verlander and their daughter Genevieve “Vivi” Upton Verlander.

About the author

Krutik Jain is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. It was in 2018 when the baseball bug bit Krutik, and already a cricket fan, he credits baseball's rules and Clayton Kershaw's pitching to have hooked him to the game.

A Kershaw and Mookie Betts fan, Krutik rates his favorite team LA Dodgers triumphing over Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series as his best baseball moment so far. His answer to the perennial "one player from the past you could meet" question is Jackie Robinson. Despite never having seen him play, Robinson's impact, legacy and trail-blazing journey have left an indelible impact on Krutik.

A rigorous fact-checker, Krutik likes reporting on the technical aspects of the game as well as off-field elements. When not watching baseball, Krutik is busy playing cricket, staying up to date with the happenings around the world and hiking.

Know More

Edited by Rajdeep Barman