Camille Kostek
Camille Kostek | |
|---|---|
 Kostek in September 2017 | |
| Born | Camille Veronica Kostek February 19, 1992 |
| Alma mater | Eastern Connecticut State University |
| Occupation |
|
| Partner(s) | Rob Gronkowski (2015–present) |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Hair color | Blonde |
| Eye color | Blue-green |
Camille Veronica Kostek (born February 19, 1992) is an American model, television host, and film actress.[1][2] She gained recognition for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and achieved further prominence after landing a cover of the magazine’s 2019 edition.[3][4][5] Since 2021, Kostek is the on-field host of the game show Wipeout on TBS. She has also appeared in the film Free Guy (2021).
Early life and education[]
Kostek was born in Killingworth, Connecticut on February 19, 1992, to Alan Kostek, a general contractor, and Christina (née Decosta), a gym manager.[6] She is the eldest of four siblings, and is of Polish, Irish and Jamaican descent.[6] She started taking ballet lessons when she was three years old, and continued her training at Broadway Dance Center in New York City while competing nationally.[6] At Haddam-Killingworth High School she was a cheerleader,[7] lacrosse varsity captain,[8] and host of her high school's broadcasting program.[9] She majored in Communications with a minor in Business at Eastern Connecticut State University. She played lacrosse for Eastern before committing full-time as a member of its dance squad and as anchor of its network show TV22.[10][11] Kostek is a certified barre instructor.[12][13]
Career[]
Professional cheerleading[]
Kostek started her professional cheerleading career at age 19 with the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League.[14]
| External image | |
|---|---|
 Kostek's New England Patriots Cheerleaders Gallery |
In 2013, while a junior at university, Kostek made it to the roster of the National Football League's (NFL) New England Patriots Cheerleaders.[15][16] She landed the cover of its annual Swimsuit Calendar which was shot in Saint Lucia in 2014.[17] She also joined the NFL Tour in China as Patriots ambassador where she performed routines and taught youth cheer clinics.[18][19] In addition, Kostek has featured in advertising campaigns for Patriot Place,[20][non-primary source needed] and served as spokesperson for the cheer team in various television shows and public engagements.[21][22]
In her last game before retirement, she performed at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX where the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks on February 1, 2015.[23]
Hosting[]
Kostek started as co-host of programs in ABC, CBS, and Fox affiliate channels in New England, as well as a co-anchor in WPRI-TV's The Rhode Show in 2015.[24][non-primary source needed][25][non-primary source needed][26][non-primary source needed] She was a reporter for NESN's show Dirty Water TV from 2016 to 2017 covering travel as well as sports events including NASCAR.[27][28] Since 2018, she has hosted and corresponded for South by Southwest, the Super Bowl, the National Hockey League,[29] and Levitate Music Festival, as well as lifestyle, red carpet and sports events for Maxim and Sports Illustrated, among others.[30][31] She has also co-hosted radio shows on SiriusXM.[32][33]
Right out of college, Kostek was offered a job on ESPN's Saturday Night Football, but turned it down for the opportunity to travel while modeling.[6][34] In September 2020, she was announced as on-field host of game show Wipeout on TBS.[35]
Modeling[]
Kostek's first modeling job was for a series of television commercials for boutique Ciao Bella in 2013 which aired on MTV, E! News, VH1, and ABC Family.[15][36][37] She then joined her first modeling agency in Boston in 2015,[38] and subsequently became brand ambassador and model for Benrus, Equinox Fitness, and Dune Jewelry.[23][39] Her early work consisted of print and television advertisements for brands like Nissan, New Balance, and Rebag to name a few.[40][non-primary source needed][41][42][43][non-primary source needed][44][non-primary source needed][45][non-primary source needed][46] She has done editorials for the likes of Elle,[47] and has graced the covers of luxury lifestyle magazines like Ocean Drive,[48] BELLA,[49] Haute Living,[50] and Bay[51] among others.
Since then, Kostek has done campaigns and ambassadorships for various clothing and cosmetic brands including L'Oréal, Victoria's Secret, and Clarins.[52][53][54][55][56] She also did ad campaigns for fashion line Kittenish, and walked the runway for its Spring/Summer 2019 collection at New York Fashion Week.[57][58] Kostek is also a longtime model and ambassador for Reebok,[59] headlining the brand's PureMove Bra[3] and Nano X1[60] campaigns among others.
| External media | |
|---|---|
| Images | |
| Kostek's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover in 2019 | |
| Video | |
 SI Swimsuit 2019: Cover Reveal |
Kostek initially found difficulty securing modeling representation as agencies kept telling her she was not tall enough at 5'8", or thin enough at dress size 4/6.[61][38][62] She eventually submitted a video of her experience to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue which was conducting an open casting call at the time.[63] She was scouted, and walked the runway for the SI Swimsuit Fashion Show during Miami Beach Swim Week in July 2017.[64] The following month, she was photographed by Yu Tsai in Belize for her first photoshoot with the magazine for the 2018 issue.[65][66][67] Kostek was chosen from 5,000 open casting call candidates and won the inaugural Sports Illustrated Swim Search in March 2018.[1] She walked the runway for Miami Beach Swim Week for the second time in July 2018,[68] and closed the show the following year.[69] The first model announced for the 2019 issue, she did her shoot in South Australia with photographer Josie Clough, and landed a solo cover in her official year as a rookie.[70][1]
Kostek has been called an "American Bombshell" and sex symbol for her blonde hair, blue eyes and curves.[71][72] Connecticut Magazine named her in their "40 under 40" list of influential people of 2018,[73][74] and she was included in Maxim's Hot 100 list of Sexiest Women in the World in 2019.[75]
Acting[]
Kostek made her film debut with a cameo appearance in STX Entertainment's 2018 comedy I Feel Pretty starring Amy Schumer.[23] This was followed with a supporting role in 20th Century Studios's science fiction film Free Guy (2021) with Ryan Reynolds.[76]
Other ventures[]
Since 2018, Kostek designs her namesake jewelry collections for Dune Jewelry.[77][78] In 2020, she released a clothing and accessory collection inspired by her trademarked phrase "Never Not Dancing" with Shine the Light On proceeds of which benefit mental health charities.[79][80] Her body-inclusive swimsuit and loungewear collection with Swimsuits For All was released on May 3, 2021.[81]
Kostek started touring universities and colleges in the U.S. in 2019 for her "Own It" Tour where she conducts talks on self-acceptance and body image.[82][83][84][85]
Personal life[]
A classically trained dancer, Kostek often posts videos of herself on social media spontaneously dancing in places outside a dance studio.[86] Her catchphrase, "Never Not Dancing,"[79] has since become viral.[87]
Since 2015,[88] Kostek has been in a relationship with American football player Rob Gronkowski.[5] They live in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Tampa, Florida.[89][90] Together, they have a French Bulldog named Ralphie.[91]
Filmography[]
Film[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | I Feel Pretty | Hostess | Cameo[23] |
| 2021 | Free Guy | Bombshell | [76] |
| Monsters of California | Meg | [92] |
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Sports Illustrated Swim Search | Self / Winner | [93] |
| 2019 | NHL Awards | Self / Presenter | [94] |
| Ridiculousness | Self | ||
| 2020 | Fashionably Yours | Sam | TV movie |
| Kirby Jenner | Self | Episode: "A Jennerous Gift" | |
| NHL Pause: Post to Post | Self / Host | [29] | |
| 2021 | Entertainment Tonight | Special co-host | Episode: "ET Super Friday" |
| Love, for Real | Emily | TV movie | |
| 2021–present | Wipeout | On-field host | [35] |
Music videos[]
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "A Little More You" | Jack Fiskio[95] |
| 2019 | "So Close" | NOTD and Felix Jaehn feat. Captain Cuts and Georgia Ku[96][97] |
| 2020 | "I'll Wait" | Kygo[98] |
References[]
- ^ a b c "Camille Kostek lands SI Swimsuit 2019 cover". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
- ^ "A Day in the Life: SI Swimsuit Model Camille Kostek". Yahoo!. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
- ^ a b "Camille Kostek Talks #NeverNotDancing, Modeling And Finding Her Confidence". Reebok UK. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- ^ Kickham, Debbi. "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Girl Camille Kostek: My Favorite Trips and Travel Tips". Forbes. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "Model Camille Kostek Lands Her First Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover – as a Rookie!". People. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c d WIKI