Kate Upton reveals how her parents reacted after she was named Sexiest Woman Alive by People magazine

American model Kate Upton has revealed the funny reaction of her parents, when she was honoured with People magazine's Sexiest Woman Alive title.

The 22-year-old Sports Illustrated model talked about the prized moment in her recent interview with Marie Claire magazine.

"My parents were pretty funny about it," she said. "They told me, 'We went out to dinner and dressed a little nicer because our daughter is the Sexiest Woman Alive'."

Upton, who had previously revealed that she does not get asked out by men often, opened up about her relationship with boyfriend, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander.

"I was so competitive with him, and he constantly kicked my ass. He'll beat me at Spades. He's better at trapeze…Oh! I beat him in foosball!" she said.

Upton made her first Sports Illustrated appearance in 2011, when she was named the magazine's Rookie of the Year. The following year, she appeared on the cover issue of the Swimsuit edition.

Upton, a native of Melbourne, Florida, talked about her motivation.

"Anytime there's doubt or someone says I can't do something. I always accomplish it. Haters and doubters are very, very good motivation," she said.

Apart from Upton, Marie Claire's Fresh Faces issue also features Zoë Kravitz, Iggy Azalea, Hailee Steinfeld and Felicity Jones.