Kate Upton Joins TikTok, Recreates Viral 'Dougie' Dance
Better late than never. Kate Upton is the latest celebrity to finally join TikTok. And the 31-year-old model took things full circle for her inaugural post by recreating the viral "Dougie" Dance that helped put her on the map over a decade ago.
"Teach me how to TikTok…?" Upton caption the 14-second video, in which she can be seen doing a web search for "Teach Me How to Dougie" before breaking out the signature moves, outfitted in a sleeveless orange crop top paired with trendy, olive-colored cargo pants.
Back in April 2011, Upton was filmed doing the hip-hop dance at a Los Angeles Clippers game alongside fellow model and actress Damaris Lewis. It was only a few months after she made her big Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue debut at just 18 years old. The cover had already generated her a fair amount of buzz, but the viral moment took her into the next stratosphere of fame.
At the time, she was described by the magazine as "a Midwest native who always dreamed of being a model."
Suffice to say, her dreams became a reality. Nearly 13 years later, Upton boasts 6.7 followers on Instagram and has been married to Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander since 2017. The couple share one daughter together.
For those unfamiliar with the "Dougie Dance," the dance originated in Dallas, Texas, named from similar moves performed by 1980s rapper Doug E. Fresh. The dance Saw more widespread popularity after the Inglewood, California hip-hop group Cali Swag District recorded the song "Teach Me How to Dougie" during the summer of 2009, which subsequently became a hit on YouTube.
In addition to Upton, other celebrities popularized the dance from late 2010 through 2011, including Michelle Obama, Chris Brown, Reggie Bush, and Wolf Blitzer, of all people, at the 2010 Soul Train Awards. But suffice to say, it seems as though Upton is still the undisputed champ.