Dexter Mayfield recreates iconic 2006 'Out' swimsuit cover: 'We are serving BODY!!!'
Dexter Mayfield is shaking things up.
The Come Dance With Me judge is the July/August 2022 cover star of Out magazine.
To celebrate 300 issues and 30 years in the publishing world, the LGBTQ publication is taking a trip down memory lane, revisiting and re-creating 10 covers through a more inclusive lens.
Out magazine's swimsuit covers were an annual hallmark event marked by scantily-clad cover stars that represented the swimsuit-model ideal.
This issue pays homage to those now-defunct swimsuit specials, while acknowledging the progress that's since been made around body diversity and size-inclusivity.
Mayfield, who has danced alongside the likes of Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez, carved his own lane in the entertainment space since he never neatly fit into any predetermined societal boxes of what a model or dancer looks like.
"Being a fat Black queer performer in the industry, almost every odd is against you," Mayfield told Yahoo Life in 2021.
For the cover, Mayfield rocked a green Good American swim brief similar to the style worn in the February 2006 edition featuring Nicholas Lemons. The look pool-ready look was accessorized with an Erickson Beamon Necklace.
"BB'S 3rd Cover is heeerre y'all, and this time we are serving BODY!!! It is my absolute honor, pleasure & privilege to present the recreation of @outmagazine's swimsuit issue for their 30th anniversary in collaboration with @googlepixel ?????????," Mayfield said in a Instagram post. On the second slide of the post, he added, "Out magazine was literally my little gay guide, I would sneak off to the store to read it. And to recreate an iconic cover, especially with the body, is representation I never got to see."
The editorial director for the shoot, Mikelle Street, shared his vision for the cover on Twitter, revealing that the final photos had minimal post-production edits.
"More work. Out had a history of putting a ton of muscled, shirtless, white men on our covers. So for this reimagining project, I thought a lot about how to reckon with that. This image of Dexter Mayfield was my most pointed answer," tweeted Street.
? more work ?
Out had a history of putting a ton of muscled, shirtless, white men on our covers. So for this reimagining project I thought a lot about how to reckon with that. This image of Dexter Mayfield was my most pointed answer. pic.twitter.com/IIBrD3k22b— idk about releasing trade but I stan Beyonce (@MikelleStreet) July 18, 2022
"Dexter was a dream on set and I kept coming back to the photo, questioning my own thoughts on what should and shouldn't be retouched. In the end, I let my gut win out with practically no work in post," he wrote in his second tweet. "I'm proud to have @Dex_Rated as a part of my final project."
Dexter was a dream on set and I kept coming back to the photo, questioning my own thoughts on what should and shouldn’t be retouched. In the end, I let my gut win out with practically no work in post.
I’m proud to have @Dex_Rated as a part of my final project. pic.twitter.com/3VMYiFnttk— idk about releasing trade but I stan Beyonce (@MikelleStreet) July 18, 2022
Fans shared their love for the cover on Twitter and Instagram.
"These are gorgeous!!" tweeted one user.
"These cover reboots are *chef's kiss*," shared a user on Instagram.
"Stunning! So happy for sweet Dex," wrote another.
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