Call James Franco whatever you want, but don’t call him boring.
Franco is on the cover of the latest issue of Candy magazine donning thick blue eye shadow, black liner, candy-red lips and women’s clothing. The photo was shot by controversial photographer Terry Richardson. Let’s hope Richardson didn’t try to have sex with Franco once he was dressed like a lady.
Candy’s creator, Luis Venegas, describes the magazine as “the first fashion magazine ever completely dedicated to celebrating transvestism, transexuality, cross dressing and androgyny, in all its manifestations.” This is only Candy’s second issue–the inaugural issue featured British model (and ex-fiance of Kelly Osbourne) Luke Worrall on the cover.
While this will undoubtedly raise questions about Franco’s sexuality, the 32-year-old heartthrob-turned-artist is no stranger to gay rumors. In addition to playing two homosexual characters–Harvey Milk’s lover in 2008’s Milk and an upcoming performance as Beat pioneer Allen Ginsberg in Howl–Franco also graced the cover of The Advocate last month.
“Everyone thinks I’m a stoner, and some people think I’m gay because I’ve played these gay roles,” Franco told The Advocate. “That’s what people think, but it’s not true. I don’t smoke pot. I’m not gay…”
This is just one in a series of surprise moves from the actor and perpetual student, who in the last few years has starred in the Spiderman franchise, enrolled in four graduate programs simultaneously (and as a Ph.D. candidate at Yale), debuted a puzzling solo art exhibit in a NYC gallery and dabbled as a Soap star with a stint on General Hospital.
We’re getting a campy Dynasty-meets –Dr. Frank-N-Furter vibe from the cover, and we dig it.