Kate Upton pays $25K to attend Met Costume Institute gala

Supermodel Kate Upton wanted to be at the annual Met Costume Institute gala so bad that the 19-year-old Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and "Cat Daddy" aficionado sprang for her own $25,000 ticket.

Vogue editor Anna Wintour personally approves every name on the event's guest list and, reports the New York Post, Upton recently told Wintour of her desire to attend and -- on the spot -- wrote Wintour a check for $25,000. The money helps to fund the Costume Institute's annual expenses.

This year's exhibit honors designers Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli.

Upton will reportedly wear Michael Kors and sit at the designer's table. The Costume Institute gala will be held Monday, May 7, in Manhattan. Other celebrity guests expected include co-host Carey Mulligan, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez and Dakota Fanning.