People Magazine awarded Kate Upton as the sexiest woman alive, according to New York Daily News.

Kate Upton wins as the sexiest woman alive in People Magazine's first ever awards show at Beverly Hills, California.  People annually names the sexiest man alive and the most beautiful in their magazine but this is the first time for the sexy category in an awards show.

As Uptown went on stage to receive her award, she delivered a speech about what sexy means to her.

"Sexy to me means someone who is confident and happy and that's the person I always strive to be," the actress said.

Although the 22-year-old actress is a supermodel, she revealed backstage that she also has issues with how she looks.

"This morning, it was ugly. I almost posted an 'I woke up like this' [photo] but I didn't want to be so truthful. Who's pretty at 4 a.m. unless they've been out all night?" Upton revealed.

Upton debuted in the modeling industry filled with skinny women two years ago and was criticized as fat due to her womanly curves.  Other than that, the model received criticisms from fashion experts, Jezebel reported.

A fashion blogger has discriminated Upton and wrote:

"Huge thighs, NO waist, big fat floppy boobs, terrible body definition - she looks like a squishy brick. Is this what American women are "striving" for now? The lazy, lardy look? Have we really gotten so fat in this country that Kate is the best we can aim for? Sorry, but: eww!"

A fellow supermodel described Upton as "more of the large size model." In addition, a British magazine dubbed her as "a footballer's wife, with the too-blond hair and that kind of face that anyone with enough money can go out and buy," according to Inquisitr.

Despite the backlash she received, the model bagged many projects including a spread for "Sports Illustrated and "GQ" magazine.  Upton also starred with Cameron Diaz in her first movie "The Other Woman." The film was also criticized but earned more than $196 million in worldwide box office.

As if to prove her haters wrong, Upton has landed important projects this year such as the Sam Adelman Fall Collection, Sam Adelman Spring Collection, and Vogue.