Kate Upton has spoken out to clear up confusion surrounding a concerning social media post she shared weeks ago. On Monday, the model took to her Instagram Stories to address the speculation, confirming that the “scary” situation she described in her earlier post was not about her husband, MLB pitcher Justin Verlander.
“I posted a scary emergency situation on my Story, and I know many of you have been concerned,” Upton, 32, began. “But a few people mistakenly thought the situation involved my husband. To clarify: that is absolutely not the case.”
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model explained that the post in question described an incident involving a “drunk and high” father endangering his child, which some assumed referred to Verlander. Upton firmly debunked those rumors and provided further context.
“We do not have a 10-year-old. Our daughter is 6, and Justin would never put her in such a terrifying or life-threatening situation,” Upton stated. “He is a wonderful father whose unwavering priority is ensuring our daughter is safe, loved, and protected every single day.”
Upton, who married Verlander in 2017, went on to explain that the situation she wrote about actually involved her sister’s daughter. She expressed how difficult it has been to handle the ordeal, especially as the safety of her niece is now in the hands of legal authorities.
“Navigating this situation to protect my niece has been so challenging, especially knowing that her safety is ultimately in the hands of professionals in Brevard,” Upton shared. “The legal system can be so complex, and in my opinion, it has raised alarming questions about whether the priority is protecting a father’s privacy and privilege over the wellbeing of innocent children.”
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The Other Woman actress emphasized that she, her sister, and Verlander are all committed to supporting and protecting her niece during this difficult time.
“My sister, Justin, and I are doing everything we can to protect her,” Upton wrote. “I am in awe of her bravery and resilience after facing a situation no child should ever have to endure.”
She concluded her post with gratitude for the support she’s received and urged her followers to keep her niece in their thoughts. “Thank you all for your kind words and for keeping her in your hearts during this challenging time.”
The confusion stemmed from a detailed Instagram Story Upton shared nearly a month ago, where she sought advice on handling an alarming situation.
In the post, she described a father, recently out of rehab, who allegedly became intoxicated and high on pills while traveling alone with his 10-year-old daughter. Upton claimed the man threatened a taxi driver with a gun, demanding to be dropped off on the highway at midnight. Thankfully, the driver refused, prioritizing the safety of the child.
“Truly asking … lawyers/judges/advocates/law enforcement/parents,” Upton wrote at the time. “Would you consider this an emergency? A crime? Would you be scared if it was your child in question?” She also invited feedback from her followers with expertise on the matter.
While the original post sparked concern and confusion, Upton’s recent clarification has provided much-needed context, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation while debunking baseless rumors about her husband.
It also highlights Upton’s commitment to advocating for her niece’s safety and wellbeing as her family navigates this challenging time.
