Kate Upton may have become a huge deal after she caught her big break as the cover girl of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue back in February 2012, but Victoria's Secret didn't see the hype.

Despite appearing in the catalogue in early 2011, Upton wasn't considered and ideal model for the brand.

"She's like a Page 3 girl," Sophia Neophitou, the casting director for Victoria's Secret's shows, told The New York Times in an interview in 2012. "She's like a footballer's wife, with too-blond hair and that kind of face that anyone with enough money can go out and buy."

After Neophitou's diss, Upton's photos were nowhere to be found in the magazine, Yet, now the brand has changed its mind. Over a year after Neophitou's comment, Upton is back in the magazine. The 20-year-old model is seen on the back cover of the latest catalogue wearing a Body by Victoria bra. The photo can be viewed on BuzzFeed.

Perhaps this has something to do with Upton's appearance on one of the world's most famous fashion magazines -- Vogue. The star covers the magazine's June 2013 issue and is also praised by the publication. Aside from the cover labeling her as "the hottest supermodel on earth," Vogue's booking editor had even more kind words.

"She is, basically, the Vogue reader," Valerie Boster said to Vogue. "She's got the classic, American girl-next-door, can't-stop-staring at her quality."

She also added, "It's been a long time since we've had what we would call the next supermodel era, and I think Kate Upton is ushering it in. She's a girl that both men and women -- no matter what part of the country they're in -- will recognize and understand. She is larger than life."

These are powerful statements and it's difficult to beat the word of Vogue when it comes to the fashion world.

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Kate Upton