Charli XCX is the latest cover star for Playboy's rebranded quarterly print magazine, appearing in a series of revealing images and discussing her marriage to husband George Daniel in an interview conducted by Kylie Jenner. The 34-year-old singer's issue is scheduled to hit stands on September 29, according to a statement from the outlet.
The cover image shows Charli posing against a headboard in black underwear and high heels, with her head tilted back. Additional photos from the shoot feature the singer in lacy corset lingerie and a sheer nightgown-thong combination, as well as a close-up shot stylised to resemble a 90s VHS tape.
Charli on confidence and marriage
In the interview, Charli discussed her relationship with confidence and sexuality. 'I feel sexy in underwear, and I feel sexy in a fully tailored suit,' she told the outlet. 'When I feel sexy, I feel confident. Sex, sexuality, and confidence are all very sacred things to me. If I could feel them on the max, all the time, then I would.'
The singer, who released the song 'Playboy Bunny' earlier this year, said she feels most confident on stage or with her husband George Daniel, 36. She described their marriage as 'casual and relaxed,' an ethos consistent with her public persona.
'It means a lot to us, but also at the same time, it's like we could completely do without it, and we kind of would be as equally in love if we weren't married,' she said. 'It fits, but it's not like a high-pressure kind of a word for me.'
From Brat summer to 'horny' era
Charli's Playboy debut follows her June announcement that 'Brat summer' was over, accompanied by a nearly nude social media post promising 'something horny' was on the way. She subsequently released her seventh studio album, Music, Fashion, Film, on July 24, which features a different sound and aesthetic compared to her previous bright green era.
The singer's 'horny' era coincides with Playboy's rebranding under new Editor-in-Chief Phillip Picardi, who has promised a more 'inclusive' version of the once controversial magazine. Charli is the third cover girl in this new phase, following Karol G and Cara Delevingne.
Playboy's new direction and Cara Delevingne's interview
Cara Delevingne, 33, who appeared on the previous cover wearing a black latex corset, discussed the 'very heterosexual institution' of the bunny brand in her interview. 'That's why it felt like a bit of a rebellious thing to do, and to have an incredible female-led creative team—a lot of them being queer—felt really fun and different,' she said.
Delevingne, who revealed in May that she now identifies as a lesbian, also shared her experience of being 'sex sober' after years of partying. 'I used to put a higher value on sex and validation from people. I used to think, "Oh, I'm a pervert. I'm a really horny person",' she said. 'But I think [I was] seeking love and validation through sex.'
Picardi made a distinction between Playboy and pornography, stating that the 73-year-old brand is about 'portraying the art of desire.' He explained: 'There's always been a difference between Playboy and porn, especially the kinds of porn that are really prevalent today and that people have access to just by having a Twitter account or a Reddit account… and so I actually found the challenge of bringing back an artfulness and a thoughtfulness to nudity to be super exciting as a creative.'
In this new era, Playmates and cover stars are given full control over how much of their body they want to show and are involved in the creative process. Charli's Playboy issue will be available on September 29.
