What do you expect to see when Serena Williams undresses? Just be aware that comedian Amy Schumer and tennis star Serena Williams have posed semi-nude for a “completely different” Pirelli Calendar.
Wearing little more than their underwear, the natural beauties bared just about all for iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz, who curated the 2016 edition.
 |
| Incredible physique ... tennis star Serena Williams stripped down for the 2016 Pirelli CaSource:Supplied |
But unlike previous editions of the tyre company’s risque calendar, it wasn’t supposed to be a nude shoot.
“It’s as if she didn’t get the memo saying that she could keep her clothes on,” Leibovitz said in a statement about Schumer.
Instead of snapping supermodels in skimpy lingerie, Leibovitz’s vision was to shoot 13 “women of outstanding professional, social, cultural, sporting and artistic accomplishment” in her New York City studio.
Leibovitz, who last shot the calendar in 2000, said she was happy to break the mould.“The 2000 calendar was an exercise in photographing nudes. It was a simple concept,” she said.
“For 2016, we did something completely different, but it is still simple. It is a classic set of black-and-white portraits made in the studio. When Pirelli approached me, they said they wanted to make a departure from the past.
“They suggested the idea of photographing distinguished women. After we agreed on that, the goal was to be very straightforward. I wanted the pictures to show the women exactly as they are, with no pretence.”
 |
| Singer Patti Smith also makes an appearance in the iconic calendar. Picture: Annie LeibovSource:Supplied |
“I’ve seen a few of the photographs and they’re striking,” iconic singer Patti Smith, who features in the calendar, told Vogue. “I have no idea what the average recipient would [think], but I think that they should appreciate a bold move. We’ll see.”
 |
| Singer Patti Smith also makes an appearance in the iconic calendar. Picture: Annie LeibovSource:Supplied |
Schumer wasn’t shy about her untouched portrait, which has gone viral on social media.
“Beautiful, gross, strong, thin, fat, pretty, ugly, sexy, disgusting, flawless, woman. Thank you @annieleibovitz,” the 34-year-old tweeted.
In a promo video for the shoot, she said: “I felt I looked more beautiful than I’ve ever felt in my life, and I felt like it looked like me.”
The calendar isn’t for sale. As in past years, it will be gifted to 20,000 “VIPs, musicians, politicians, and royalty.”
“Beautiful, gross, strong, thin, fat, pretty, ugly, sexy, disgusting, flawless, woman. Thank you @annieleibovitz,” the 34-year-old tweeted.
In a promo video for the shoot, she said: “I felt I looked more beautiful than I’ve ever felt in my life, and I felt like it looked like me.”
Beautiful, gross, strong, thin, fat, pretty, ugly, sexy, disgusting, flawless, woman. Thank you @annieleibovitzpic.twitter.com/kc0rIDvHVi— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer)
November 30, 2015
The calendar isn’t for sale. As in past years, it will be gifted to 20,000 “VIPs, musicians, politicians, and royalty.”
Read More On Viral DotCom
