Kate Upton hasn’t achieved supermodel status yet, but she’s definitely on her way! The 20-year-old Texas cowgirl with the adorable mole is now being seen in ads for the Guess line of denim and accessories, where she vamps it up in the tradition of previous Guess models Anna Nicole Smith and Claudia Schiffer.

But her big break could be the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, which comes out today. Kate will be making her first appearance in the iconic magazine, where she was photographed on Boracay Island in the Phillipines. It’s a long way from Kate’s childhood, riding show horses in Ft. Worth, Texas!

To whet your appetite for Kate’s debut in SI, check out these recent swimsuit photos after the jump!