Kate Upton believes she became an ''example for girls'' following the criticism aimed at her by Sophia Neophitou.

The Sports Illustrated model was stung by comments made by Victoria's Secret casting agent Neophitou in 2012 criticising her curvaceous figure.

At the time, Neophitou said the underwear company ''would never use [Upton]. She's like a page-three girl, she's like a footballer's wife, with the too-blonde hair and that kind of face that anyone with enough money can go out and buy''.

Although the comments upset her, Upton now believes the critique made her career and won her many female fans who were proud of her for embracing her figure.

Speaking to Alexa Chung in Vogue, Upton sai ... Read more »