Justin Brooks Verlander, an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball, met Kate Upton for the first time in 2012 while shooting a video game commercial together.
Standing at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m), Justin Verlander towers over Kate Upton on the red carpet—even when she’s wearing sky-high heels such as the gold Stella Luna “Indispensable” pumps.
Kate Upton dazzled in gold Stella Luna pumps and a one-shoulder Haney dress, but even in heels, Justin Verlander still towered over her on the red carpet at the Breitling Legendary Future Roadshow event in Brooklyn, New York, on February 22, 2018 (Credit: Dara Kushner / INSTARimages)
“We first met at a commercial shoot, and I had my microphone on and didn’t realize it. I told my friends that I was gonna get her number and she heard me! But it worked,” he told Us Weekly in May 2018.
Their First Commercial Together Sparked a Real-Life Romance
They shot the commercial for MLB 2K12, a Major League Baseball licensed baseball simulation video game released on March 6, 2012. They would likely never have met without the game published by 2K Sports.
At the 37th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York City on November 29, 2023, Kate Upton channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a black Valentino ballgown with a scoop neckline and voluminous skirt, paired with gold Sam Edelman heels, while her husband Justin Verlander looked sharp in a classic black tux—fittingly by her side as she presented Sam and Libby Edelman with the Lifetime Achievement Award (Credit: Media Punch / INSTARimages)
Kate Upton and Justin Verlander’s First Date Was Unexpectedly Public
Their first date was an Aerosmith concert in Detroit, followed by a bar visit, during which a random woman secretly snapped pictures of them with her phone.
While gossip magazines obtained the pictures and outed them as a couple, their relationship didn’t get serious until more than a year later.
At the 2016 LACMA Art + Film Gala presented by Gucci, Kate Upton stunned in a sleek black gown with structured shoulders and statement drop earrings, while Justin Verlander complemented her in a navy tuxedo with black satin lapels and a classic black tie (Credit: WENN / Joe / Lia Toby / FayesVision / Apega)
From Private Couple to Public Commitment: Engagement and Marriage
They became a couple in early 2014 and got engaged in 2016. On November 4, 2017, the couple married at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, a luxury hotel in the Tuscan countryside in Italy. They have a daughter, Genevieve Upton Verlander, born on November 7, 2018.
Justin Verlander kisses his wife Kate Upton at the Maxim Hot 100 Experience at Hollywood Palladium on July 21, 2018, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: WENN / Joe / Lia Toby / FayesVision / Apega)
Kate Upton’s Sweet Father’s Day Tribute to Justin Verlander
In a June 2019 Father’s Day tribute to her husband, Kate wrote that Vivi is lucky to “have such an inspiring, loving and amazing father,” and she announced that she’s also fortunate. “Watching you become a father has been one of the greatest joys in life.”
View this post on Instagram
Kate Upton’s Glamorous Red Carpet Looks While Promoting The Other Woman
Looking elegant can be challenging when you’re as voluptuous as Kate Upton, but she makes it seem effortless.
In April 2014, the blonde bombshell toned down her curves and stepped on the red carpet for her new comedy flick premiere, The Other Woman.
At the Amsterdam premiere of The Other Woman, Kate Upton channeled retro elegance in a sculptural strapless white Christian Siriano dress, cinched with a black belt and paired with classic nude Christian Louboutin pumps on April 1, 2014 (Credit: WENN / Joe / Lia Toby / FayesVision / Apega)
Kate looked like a modern Marilyn Monroe at the Amsterdam premiere of The Other Woman in a sculptural white Christian Siriano Fall 2014 dress, perfectly paired with classic nude Christian Louboutin pumps that elongated her legs and added to the overall old-Hollywood glamour.
We also love how the dress was styled — with minimal accessories and a skinny leather belt. The retro faux bob was the perfect finishing touch to channel Monroe.
Kate Upton exuded vintage glamour in a strapless white Christian Siriano dress cinched with a black belt, paired with a retro faux bob hairstyle that perfectly channeled Marilyn Monroe
For the London screening, Kate wore a glamorous black dress by WilliamVintage. It features an asymmetrical neckline and a flared midi skirt.
At the London premiere of The Other Woman, Kate Upton wowed in a vintage-inspired black WilliamVintage dress with an asymmetrical neckline and flared midi skirt, finishing the look with nude Christian Louboutin pumps that subtly elongated her legs on April 2, 2014 (Credit: WENN / Joe / Lia Toby / FayesVision / Apega)
This is another figure-flattering choice that still covers up her curves.
Kate Upton in a black dress from WilliamVintage boutique paired with nude Christian Louboutin pumps
She styled it with gorgeous Adler diamond earrings and nude pumps.
Kate Upton elevated her vintage-inspired look with a voluminous retro updo and sparkling Adler diamond earrings, perfectly complementing her off-shoulder black dress and glamorous red carpet style
The then-21-year-old model-turned-actress was a stunner in both looks, and we were very impressed with this new and more glamorous version of Kate.
Standing tall at 5ft 10 (177.8 cm), Kate Upton knows how to make an impression—and her choice of heels only amplifies her commanding presence.
Kate Upton Elevates Her 5ft 10 Frame with Stunning Heels
Whether on the red carpet or at a fashion event, she effortlessly uses stylish footwear to elevate her look even further. Here are some of her most memorable footwear moments:
Shining in Gold Stella Luna ‘Indispensable’ Pumps
- Event: Breitling Legendary Future Roadshow
- Outfit: Kate dazzled in a Haney ‘Emily’ gold off-shoulder dress.
- Footwear: She complemented her ensemble with gold Stella Luna ‘Indispensable’ pumps, adding a touch of elegance to her look.
- More Details: Kate Upton Shows How To Shine in Metallic Gold and Copper
Elegant in Jimmy Choo ‘Shiloh’ Sandals
- Event: Venice Film Festival
- Outfit: Kate wore a black Twinset wrap gown paired with a Bulgari ‘Serpenti’ necklace.
- Footwear: She completed her look with Jimmy Choo ‘Shiloh’ sandals, featuring jeweled straps that enhanced her sophisticated appearance.
- More Details: Kate Upton Wears Black Dress With Snake Necklace and Shiloh Heels
Classic in Christian Louboutin ‘Iriza’ Pumps
- Event: ‘The Other Woman’ Munich Premiere
- Outfit: Kate stunned in a red Fendi dress.
- Footwear: She opted for nude Christian Louboutin ‘Iriza’ pumps, elongating her legs and adding a classic touch to her ensemble.
- More Details: The Stars of “The Other Woman” Go Nude at Munich Premiere
Chic in Salvatore Ferragamo ‘Susi’ Metallic Pumps
- Event: ‘The Other Woman’ Promotion
- Outfit: Kate donned a stylish ensemble featuring a white top and tailored shorts.
- Footwear: She paired her outfit with Salvatore Ferragamo ‘Susi’ metallic pumps, adding a modern edge to her look.
- More Details: 3 Blonde “The Other Woman” Stars Promote Film in Unique Shoes
Glamorous in Alexandre Birman Gem-Covered Sandals
- Event: Met Gala
- Outfit: Kate wore an emerald green Zac Posen gown with a jewel-encrusted crown.
- Footwear: She completed her regal look with custom Alexandre Birman gem-covered sandals, perfectly matching her dazzling crown.
- More Details: Kate Upton’s Jaw-Dropping Met Gala Look
These moments highlight Kate Upton’s impeccable fashion sense and her ability to enhance her statuesque figure with carefully chosen footwear.