Nude magazine covers: From Sydney Sweeney’s gold body paint look to Demi Moore’s iconic pregnancy photoshoot: Stars who’ve bared all on magazine covers including Sydney Sweeney, Jennifer Hawkins, Demi Moore, and more
Sydney Sweeney almost broke the internet this week by posing in nothing but gold body paint and a designer necklace on the cover of W magazine.
The headline-making actress, 28, gazes down the camera lens as she channels retro glamour with her short blonde locks styled in tight curls.
Sweeney approved of the image and photoshoot, calling the photographer “incredible” in a social media post.
But she’s not the only star to bare all in front of the lens over the years.
The likes of Demi Moore, Janet Jackson and even Aussie supermodel Jennifer Hawkins have posed nude or semi-nude for some now-iconic snaps.
Here, nine.com.au takes a look back at some of the most iconic covers of all time.
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Demi Moore on Vanity Fair, 1991
Who could forget this one?
Shot by the renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, the jaw-dropping August 1991 edition of Vanity Fair featured a nude and heavily pregnant Demi Moore cradling her baby bump.
It was a groundbreaking cover and flew off the shelves, selling more than 1.2 million copies that month alone.
It’s still spoken about regularly today.
Moore recently reflected on the cover, and previous comments she’s made about it, toInterview Magazine
“It’s not that I was entirely naive, but I never imagined it would have the impact that it did, because I was just reflecting how I felt – that women had not had an opportunity to express themselves while pregnant,” she said.
Janet Jackson on Rolling Stone, 1993
Music icon Janet Jackson posed topless in a pair of folded jeans on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1993 – and it’s something she’s well and truly proud of.
The sister of the late Michael Jackson marked the 30th anniversary of the cover, which ruffled feathers with her family at the time, with an Instagram post.
“Today marks the anniversary of the release of my 1993 Rolling Stone cover. #janet30,” she wrote.
In the shot, the hands of her then-husband René Elizondo Jr. cover her breasts.
Jennifer Hawkins on Marie Claire, 2010
Sixteen years ago, Jennifer Hawkins wasn’t afraid to push boundaries and bare all on the February 2010 cover of Marie Claire.
The Aussie supermodel and Miss Universe 2004 said she felt “empowered” stripping off for the supposedly “untouched” image.
“Over the past year and a half I’ve grown into myself, and I’m more confident and comfortable within the modelling industry. I did it for the experience… It felt quite sensual and sexy. I felt empowered,” she reportedly said.
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The iconic magazine covers that got the world talking
Paulina Porizkova on Elle Czech, 2023
In 2023, Paulina Porizkova, now 60, proved once a supermodel, always a supermodel.
The Czech fashion icon graced the cover of Elle Czech topless at the age of 58.
In an Instagram post at the time, she wrote: “Yes, I’m topless; but the silver paint on my skin is like an armor. The silver deflects darkness and reflects light – but allows me to feel everything.”
“I was brought up in a culture and time where nudity was common and absolutely accepted as a part of being human. I was never made to feel ashamed of an unclothed body, mine or anyone else’s.
“So perhaps it stand to reason that as long as it is MY choice to undress, it actually makes me feel strong. It makes me feel like I have nothing to hide.
“This is where my power lies. Not the nudity per se, but the ability to show myself as I am.”
Hilary Duff, Women’s Health, 2022
Former Disney star and teen icon Hilary Duff proudly showed off her toned figure for Women’s Health back in 2022.
“I’m proud of my body. I’m proud that it’s produced three children for me,” she told the publication.
“I’ve gotten to a place of being peaceful with the changes my body has gone through. I also want people to know a makeup artist was there putting glow all over my body and someone put me in the most flattering position.”
Lea Michele on Women’s Health UK, 2016
Glee star Lea Michele wasn’t afraid to show some skin on the cover of Women’s Health UK in 2016.
Sharing a shot of the cover on Instagram at the time, the American actress said she was “so proud”.
“I’m so proud of this cover and I’m so happy I can finally share it with you all!” she wrote, adding hashtags including “confidence is sexy”.
Chrissy Teigen on Women’s Health UK, 2015
Chrissy Teigen also posed nude for Women’s Health UK over 10 years ago.
The model and cookbook author beamed on the cover of ‘the naked issue,’ with her brunette locks out and around her shoulders.
So many stars have stripped off for photoshoots over the years, and we love their confidence!
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