Emily Ratajkowski has discussed her famously sexy image and how she uses her modelling as a commodity rather than a personal representation.
The Gone Girl actress, 28, appears on the cover of GQ’s June issue, which is a reflection of 21st-century culture before, during and after the coronavirus pandemic, with six iconic figures appearing on five separate covers.
As well as discussing her image, heroes and Demi Moore, Emily also posed for a duo of stunning images snapped by her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard.
Hot stuff: Emily Ratajkowski has discussed her famously sexy image and how she uses her modelling as a commodity rather than a personal representation
Emily was propelled her into stardom after she appeared in Robin Thicke’s controversial video for his song Blurred Lines, back in 2013.
In that video, Emily danced along with Robin, Pharrell Williams, rapper, T.I., and models Elle Evans and Jessi M’Bengue. All three men wore outfits such as suits and button-down shirts while Emily ending up in a flesh-colored thong.
The video came as the song was accused of having a sexist undertone, of being ‘rapey’ and of celebrating the objectification of women. Emily later called the video the ‘bane of [her] existence’ due to its controversy.
Since then, she has been very candid about her sexy image and frequently litters social media with defiantly sexy snaps.
Woah: The Gone Girl actress, 28, appears on the cover of GQ ’s June issue, which is a reflection of 21st-century culture before, during and after the coronavirus pandemic, with six iconic figures appearing on five separate covers
Oh my: As well as discussing her image, heroes and Demi Moore, Emily also posed for a duo of stunning images snapped by her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard
On proving people wrong off the back of her sexy image, she said: ‘I think, for me, the way I use my image and as a model and capitalise off of it has been very much about survival, rather than a representation of who I am…
‘Modelling was an amazing way to make money and gain stability; fame came with that and it was a bizarre thing…
‘Fame wasn’t something I had really expected or really wanted – although deep down probably every 20 year old girl wants to be famous a little bit.’
Taste of the stars: Emily was propelled her into stardom after she appeared in Robin Thicke’s controversial video for his song Blurred Lines, back in 2013
Her views of Demi Moore were a wake-up call, as she went on: ‘I realised I had made assumptions about Demi Moore too…
‘I definitely wrote her off a little bit, as an actress, because she was so sexy, because she had that body. And I’m Em Rata, so that’s seriously ironic. It just goes to show how deeply internalised misogyny is.’
Speaking about heroes, Emily detailed her definition of ‘a hero’: ‘A hero is someone who goes up against systems of power and fights the status quo even when it’s difficult or inconvenient…
This is me! Since then, she has been very candid about her sexy image and frequently litters social media with defiantly sexy snaps
Striking: Her views of Demi Moore (pictured with Patrick Swayze in 1990’s Ghost) were a wake-up call, as she went on: ‘I realised I had made assumptions about Demi Moore too’
‘As a culture we’re really quick to celebrate or congratulate a celebrity who uses their platform for good, and that’s cool, but often we overlook incredible people who do amazing work for their community and for the world at large.’
She went on: ‘One of those people is a woman called April Grayson, who I was lucky enough to speak on the phone with last week about the health and safety of incarcerated women and girls during this global pandemic.
‘April knows the terrors of being incarcerated first-hand, and she’s dedicated her life very courageously to advocating for those behind bars.’
Working hard: On the book, she’s writing – and whether it is fiction or nonfiction – she said: ‘Nonfiction. I’d say it’s like a memoir, but with added political thinking’
On the book, she’s writing – and whether it is fiction or nonfiction – she said: ‘Nonfiction. I’d say it’s like a memoir, but with added political thinking.
‘I’m trying to use my experience as a model and someone who has capitalised on their image and also someone who has been maybe a victim of their image.’
Read the full feature in the June issue of GQ available via digital download and on newsstands now