Kate Upton's 'diva' behaviour may have cost her the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover

Kate Upton's diva behaviour has reportedly cost her a spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit edition. Photo/AP

Sports Illustrated fans are always excited for the yearly Swimsuit Issue.

But according to Page Six, fans may not get the chance to see Sports Illustrated favorite Kate Upton on the cover this year, The Daily Mail reports.

A source close to the magazine revealed the 24-year-old beauty may have been cut from one of the issue's three covers after her alleged diva-like demands became too much to bear.

"There was drama," explained a source. "Kate demanded that if she did the shoot, that she absolutely must get the cover."

Like last year the weekly mag planned on featuring three different beauties, publishing separate covers for tennis champ Serena Williams, 63-year-old model Christie Brinkley, and possibly Kate Upton.

However, Page Six's source claimed that Upton's high maintenance habits may be the reason Swimsuit Illustrated is rethinking their cover choices.

In addition to her cover-or-nothing attitude, the five-foot 10-inch talent also had a strict "list of photographers and hair and makeup people she would only work with".

Another modelling industry vet also said that Upton's "demands became ridiculous".

The Michigan-born model has graced Sports Illustrated's cover twice before; first in 2012 and then again in 2013.

Kate Upton's first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover.

The source said that the star's acting career might be at the root of her inflated ego.

"She was being a big f****** diva. She's thinks she's better than everyone because she's an actress' claimed the source.

Upton - who rocketed to fame in part because of her bodacious 2011 shots for the mag - has since starred in several films, including The Other Woman, Tower Heist and the upcoming road trip romp The Layover.

Although the reports are compelling, a spokesperson for the mag was unamused by the speculation, saying, "It's that time of year again. Who is in, who's on the cover, what will they do next? Everyone has a guess, and that's all this is."

Fans will have to wait to see what stunning covers the magazine reveals.

Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue hits newsstands on February 15.