Occupation: Model, actress

Biggest accomplishment this year: Appearing on her second consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover

Kate Upton made history this year when she appeared on her second consecutive cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, becoming the first model to do so since Tyra Banks in 1996 and 1997. She certainly suffered for her craft, temporarily losing hearing and eyesight during the cover shoot in Antarctica. In addition to her swimsuit work, Upton has begun to appear in higher fashion magazines like Vogue and is branching out into the acting world. She is currently filming a small role in The Other Woman, a comedy starring Cameron Diaz slated to come out sometime next year.