Kate Upton says she 'begged for this body' her whole life

LONDON, July 29 (UPI) -- Kate Upton is surprised to find that people think of her curves as being plus-sized.

While interviewing for the September issue of Elle U.K., the 22-year-old beauty explained why she used to "beg" for the body that took her from being a "Florida farm girl" to the "world's hottest supermodel."

"When I first started modeling, I was a normal catalogue model," Upton told the fashion glossy. "Then, I became a woman, and I was really excited about becoming a woman. Because I'm from Florida, it's all about being in bathing suits."

Upton went on to say that the Sunshine State has a "different view of beauty" where "you are ugly if you don't have a curvy body."

"And I didn't have one, and then I got one, and thought, 'Yessss!'" she confessed. "And then people say: 'Oh, wow, you're healthy.' And you're like, 'Wait -- what? I've been begging for this body my whole life!'"

Upton rose to fame in 2012 after appearing on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, her third appearance in the magazine. The Florida native was catapulted to celebrity status after covering the magazine again the following year, joining a small list of models -- including Christie Brinkley, Elle Macpherson, Paulina Porizkova and Tyra Banks -- who have covered the the issue multiple times.

Upton's full interview with Elle U.K. will be unveiled on August 1, when the issue is released for sale.

Kate Upton for Elle U.K.