Congratulations are in order for 19-year-old Kate Upton. The stunning beauty, and girlfriend of New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez, is indeed the cover girl for the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

There's no doubt that Miss Upton is over the moon with joy. Landing the cover is a major boost to any model's career. Not that she needs it, exactly: Upton is already a very successful Victoria's Secret model, after all.The news that Kate Upton was chosen for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2012 cover wasn't a surprise: Rumors began swirling that she was the front-runner late last week. Anyone who has seen photos of Kate can't help but note that she's a perfect choice. The willowy blond looks great in anything -- but she looks especially great in this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit magazine, wearing a (barely there) string bikini and looking every bit the supermodel that she is. Gorgeous!

Kate Upton joins a growing list of big names who have graced the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition over the years, including Elle Macpherson, Christie Brinkley, Heidi Klum, Rebecca Romijn and Tyra Banks. Each went on to even more fame after doing the SI cover (some continued modeling but others, like Romjin, Klum and Banks, expanded into television).

Will Kate Upton's career follow a similar path as past SI Swimsuit cover models? That remains to be seen. No one really knows if she can act, after all. If she can, expect it to happen. One thing is certain: Kate Upton's star in the modeling world is rising, quickly. In fact, her fame is skyrocketing.