Why Zoe Kravitz Wanted to Be Naked on the Cover of Rolling Stone

In May of 1988, Zo Kravitzs mom, the actress Lisa Bonet, appeared on the cover of Rolling Stones Hot Issue nude except for a shirt. She was two months pregnant with Zo at the time. (Technically, jokes Zo Kravitz, this is my second cover.) Now, for the cover of this issue, on the 30thanniversary of Bonets, Kravitz decided to recreate the shoot her mom did 30 years ago.

Ive always loved that cover so much, she says. When I think of Rolling Stone, thats always the image that pops into my head. Its a really striking image of her. Its beautiful.

Kravitzs cover also comes with a twist. Bonet told her she actually wanted the photo on her cover to be one from inside the issue the same pose, only without the shirt. I think she was a little bummed when they used the shirt picture as the cover, Kravitz says. I think she just thought, Im doing it, lets do it! So Kravitz decided she wanted to do the cover her mom wanted but didnt get. Its less about the picture, she says, and more about doing the thing my mom intended to do. That feels cool.

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Elsewhere in the November issue (on newsstands November 2nd) are photos that pay homage to Kravitzs dad, Lenny Kravitz albeit more subtly. The boa is actually my grandmothers my dads moms, she says. (Is it the same boa from his album cover? Different boa, she says. We like our boas.) Ive kind of stayed away on purpose from referencing my parents, because Ive been just trying to create my own identity, she says. But I feel like its a good time. I feel comfortable in my own skin. And its nice to do that homage to them. Because I love them! Theyre my parents!

Inside the 1988 Hot Issue, Bonet was asked to define what hot meant to her. So we asked Kravitz to do the same. To me, hot means someone whos vibrant and confident and comfortable with who they are, she says. Young Mick Jagger. Aretha Franklin. When somebody allows themselves to be who they are unapologetically and theyre a good person thats really hot.

We read her her moms answer: People think youre hot if youre on TV, Bonet said. To me, hot means uncompromising. It means nonconforming, not afraid, just be what you are and what you feel.

Wow, thats so cool! says Kravitz. Were the same! Ive genuinely never seen her answer to that. She instilled that in me I guess. She smiles. Thats so cool.