Kate Upton's Hot 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover and Other Sexy Photos

Kate Upton has landed the Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover, which will go on sale Tuesday. The 19-year-old hot blonde and model said snagging the cover means much to her.

"This has always been my dream," Upton told People.com.

Upton's sexy pictures were shot in Australia.

"In the beginning you're pretty relaxed, you're not thinking of new poses and it just feels really natural at that point," Upton said. "At Sports Illustrated everyone's so nice and it's like a family, you don't really think too much into it. I just have a lot of fun and be myself. It just comes so naturally."

And the Florida girl looked quite comfy in her tiny barely there red-and-brown string bikini.

Upton told The Associated Press that the photo was "one of the first photos from the first shoot."

"It was my favorite swimsuit," she said. "I felt sexy in it but confident."

Upton was born in Michigan but raised in Florida. The 2012 magazine cover is her second time appearing in the annual Sports Illustrated issue.

Start the slideshow to see Upton on the 2012 Sports Illustrated cover and other sexy photos of the hot blonde.

You can also see more photos from the shoot here.

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Kate Upton, 19, lands the 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover.

Kate Upton

Kate Upton

Kate Upton

Kate Upton