Remember that iconic Calvin Klein ad from the ‘90s starring Kate Moss and Mark Wahlberg? While it might have been the cat’s meow in the world of fashion advertising, it turns out that not everything is as it seems.
Indeed, Moss’ experience on that shoot wasn’t a walk in the park. In a candid moment during her appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, she opened up about the emotional toll the shoot took on her, revealing that she has lingering negative memories of working with Wahlberg.
At just 17, she found herself in the thick of things with the then-21-year-old actor, whom she described as “very macho” and surrounded by a large entourage, emphasizing how the focus was squarely on him.
The Uncomfortable Truth Behind Kate Moss’ Iconic Calvin Klein Shoot
In a 2022 episode of BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Kate Moss opened up about the taxing impact the Calvin Klein shoot had on her. Reflecting on the experience, she stated that she has “not very good memories” of working alongside Mark Wahlberg.
At such a young age, Moss found herself in an uncomfortable position, both literally and figuratively, feeling overshadowed by the Ted actor, whom she described as
He was very macho, and it was all about him.
The English model, now 50, further recalled, highlighting how the focus was predominantly on Wahlberg, leaving her feeling sidelined and vulnerable:
He had a big entourage. I was just this kind of model.
Her candid remarks revealed the emotional weight she carried during the shoot. She admitted to feeling “objectified, vulnerable, and scared”, suggesting that the campaign exploited her youth and innocence. Moss added:
I think they played on my vulnerability.
In fact, Moss suffered severe anxiety leading up to the ad, which left her bedridden for weeks. “I really didn’t feel well at all before the shoot. For like a week or two, I couldn’t get out of bed,” she disclosed.
Mark Wahlberg’s Reaction to Kate Moss’ Troubling Experience
Mark Wahlberg also addressed his interactions with Kate Moss in past interviews, including a 2020 chat with The Guardian. When asked about their working relationship, he stated:
I never really had a problem with Kate, did I?
He acknowledged that he was “probably a little rough around the edges” at the time, adding that he wasn’t “very… worldly”, implying a lack of awareness about the impact of his demeanor on Moss. While he seemed to downplay the situation, Moss’ reflections tell a different story.
In a 2012 interview with Vanity Fair, the mother of one revealed that the ad campaign contributed significantly to her fame but came at a hefty emotional cost. She described having a nervous breakdown when she had to work with Wahlberg, stating:
It didn’t feel like me at all. I felt really bad about straddling this buff guy. I didn’t like it. I couldn’t get out of bed for two weeks. I thought I was going to die.
Her words highlight the immense pressure young models frequently encounter.“Nobody takes care of you mentally. There’s a massive pressure to do what you have to do”, she lamented, shining a light on a critical issue that affects the fashion industry.
Despite the challenges she faced, Moss has turned her experiences into stepping stones for growth. Today, with a net worth of $70 million, she stands as a testament to resilience. Rising to global fame in the 1990s, she became a household name and one of the highest-earning models in history. Beyond modeling, she has expanded her influence in the fashion world through various clothing and perfume lines, proving that she has not only survived but thrived!
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