The Unauthorised Viral Sensation: 5 Shocking Facts About Kate Upton's 'Cat Daddy' Video That Launched Her Career
Few viral moments have been as explosive and career-defining as Kate Upton’s impromptu “Cat Daddy” dance. While the 2012 video catapulted the then-emerging model into global superstardom, transforming her from a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie into an international household name, the story behind its release is far more controversial than most fans realize. The clip, filmed by the now-disgraced photographer Terry Richardson, was a private moment that Upton herself claims was published without her explicit consent, a revelation that recontextualizes one of the internet’s most famous early dance videos.
As of late 2025, Kate Upton has successfully transitioned her career from modeling icon to actress, entrepreneur, and television host, proving the lasting power of her brand. Her recent projects, including a major unscripted series on Hulu, show a star who has taken control of her narrative, a narrative that began with an unauthorized dance move filmed over a decade ago.
Kate Upton: Full Biography and Career Profile
Katherine Elizabeth Upton is an American model, actress, and entrepreneur who became one of the industry's most recognizable figures in the 2010s, known for her groundbreaking work in the fashion world and her advocacy for body positivity.
- Full Name: Katherine Elizabeth Upton
- Born: June 10, 1992
- Birthplace: St. Joseph, Michigan, U.S. (Raised in Melbourne, Florida)
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
- Spouse: Justin Verlander (Married 2017; Houston Astros/New York Mets MLB pitcher)
- Children: 1 (Daughter, Genevieve)
- Modeling Debut: 2008 (Signed with Elite Model Management)
- Career Breakthrough: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (Debut 2011; Rookie of the Year)
- Major SI Covers: 2012 (Antarctica shoot), 2013 (50th Anniversary issue), 2017 (Triple Cover), 2024
- Acting Debut: Tower Heist (2011)
- Notable Film Roles: The Other Woman (2014), The Layover (2017)
- Recent Project (2025): Host of the Hulu reality competition series, Dress My Tour
The Unauthorized Release: How the Cat Daddy Video Went Viral
The infamous "Cat Daddy" video originated during a 2012 photoshoot for an editorial spread in V Magazine. The shoot was helmed by controversial photographer Terry Richardson, known for his provocative and often boundary-pushing style.
During a break on the set, while wearing a tiny string bikini, Kate Upton performed the "Cat Daddy" dance, a move popularized by the hip-hop group The Rej3ctz.
Richardson filmed the spontaneous moment and, without seeking Upton's final approval, posted the clip to his blog, "Terry's Diary," in April 2012.
The Dance: Origin of the 'Cat Daddy'
The "Cat Daddy" is a specific hip-hop dance move that originated in the Los Angeles area. It was created and popularized around 2010 by the group The Rej3ctz.
The dance involves moving one's hands in a circular motion, often described as mimicking the turning of the wheels of a wheelchair, combined with a subtle body sway. The Rej3ctz released a song also titled "Cat Daddy" in 2011, which cemented the dance's place in pop culture.
Upton’s Reaction: ‘Disrespectful’ and Non-Consensual
The video immediately exploded across the internet, racking up millions of views on YouTube within days and becoming a definitive early example of a celebrity viral sensation. The clip was widely shared across platforms like Twitter, launching the "Cat Daddy" into the mainstream consciousness.
However, years later, Upton revealed her true feelings about the video's release. In an interview with British Vogue, she publicly called out Richardson's actions, stating she was "so angry" that he posted it.
Upton was under the impression the footage was simply "goofing around" on set and was never meant for public consumption. She described Richardson's decision to release it without her permission as "disrespectful," highlighting a critical issue of consent in the modeling industry.
The Lasting Impact: From Viral Star to Media Mogul
Despite the initial controversy surrounding its unauthorized release, the “Cat Daddy” video was a definitive turning point. It provided a raw, charismatic glimpse into her personality that transcended the traditional, often static, world of high fashion modeling. The video’s success was quickly followed by her landing the coveted cover of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, shot in Antarctica.
This period cemented her status as a model who could connect directly with the public through digital media, a quality that major brands and Hollywood quickly capitalized on.
The Hollywood Crossover and Marriage to Justin Verlander
Following her viral fame, Upton successfully transitioned into acting. Her most notable role came in the 2014 hit comedy, The Other Woman, where she starred alongside Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann.
In her private life, she met and began dating MLB superstar pitcher Justin Verlander in 2012. The couple married in a lavish Italian ceremony in November 2017, just days after Verlander won the World Series with the Houston Astros.
Kate Upton’s Career Today: Hosting Hulu’s ‘Dress My Tour’ (2025 Update)
More than a decade after the viral “Cat Daddy” dance, Kate Upton continues to be a major force in media and fashion. Her career has evolved to include entrepreneurship and, most recently, a significant move into television hosting.
In a major update for late 2025, Upton is the host of the new Hulu reality competition series, Dress My Tour. The unscripted show follows aspiring fashion designers as they compete to create stage-ready looks for major musical artists, blending the worlds of high fashion and music.
Her role as host, combined with her recent appearance on the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover, demonstrates a star who has not only survived the initial shock of unauthorized viral fame but has leveraged her public profile to maintain an enduring and relevant career in an ever-changing digital landscape.
The story of the "Cat Daddy" video remains a powerful case study in the early days of viral media, showing how a single, unplanned moment—even one released without consent—could irrevocably change a career, for better or for worse. Upton’s ability to take control of her narrative and use that platform for new, ambitious projects like Dress My Tour is the ultimate testament to her lasting influence.
Entities and LSI Keywords:
- Terry Richardson
- Justin Verlander
- The Rej3ctz
- Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
- Dress My Tour
- Hulu reality show
- V Magazine photoshoot
- The Other Woman (film)
- Cat Daddy dance origin
- Viral video consent
- Alexa Chung interview
- British Vogue
- Modeling industry exploitation
- Antarctica photoshoot
- Anne Klein campaign
- Melbourne, Florida
- Elite Model Management
- Houston Astros
- Genevieve Verlander
- Unscripted series
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