Maxim aims to redefine what's 'hot' on its latest Hot 100 list
You may be shocked to see the cover of this month's Maxim magazine.
Singer Taylor Swift is featured on this year's Hot 100 issue. But instead of posing in a bikini in typical lad mag style, she's staring moodily at the reader — fully clothed.
The surprises don't stop at the cover, as the issue opens with an essay by feminist author Roxane Gay. And Monica Bellucci, who will star alongside Daniel Craig in the next James Bond film, is the first woman over the age of 50 to be on the list.
"I think men today, especially our audience, are confident, and driven, and attracted to women who are just as confident and driven," Maxim's editor-in-chief Kate Lanphear says.
The magazine's first female editor, who previously headed Elle and T (the New York Times style magazine), tells Shad that she aims to redefine what sexy is for Maxim and its 2 million-plus readers, and that it's about recognizing talent as much as the perfect figure.
The incredible <a href="https://twitter.com/taylorswift13">@taylorswift13</a> is #1 on the Maxim Hot List. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2015MaximHot100?src=hash">#2015MaximHot100</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/taylorswift?src=hash">#taylorswift</a> <a href="http://t.co/rapeSpEdss">http://t.co/rapeSpEdss</a> <a href="http://t.co/ZuQgg4NiDf">pic.twitter.com/ZuQgg4NiDf</a>
—@MaximMag