Images of The Pregnant Body in Popular Culture
In 1991, a portrait of American actress, Demi Moore, appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair Magazine. Taken by American photographer, Annie Leibovitz, the portrait reveals the naked and fully pregnant body of Moore. Controversial at the time that it was published, the picture today acts as a symbol of empowerment. In looking at Moore, the viewer sees that she is neither afraid nor ashamed of her pregnant body. Covering her breasts with one hand and arm, she stands firmly, cradling the weight of her large belly with her other hand. Staring outward towards the viewer, Moore’s image represents a pregnant woman who is proud of her body and protective of her baby. Leibovitz captures the strength and beauty of the pregnant body. There is nothing weak or fragile about Moore’s image, reminding other pregnant women that pregnancy is neither a weakness nor an illness, but is instead a special moment of a woman’s life in which she is able to express the most powerful capacity of her physical body: her ability to cultivate new life from within her womb. Moore ultimately birthed all of her children (three daughters) at home.
In the years since this cover shot of Moore was published, photos of other famous pregnant women have become more accepted within the sphere of popular culture. Pregnant with her first child, Cindy Crawford, for example, appeared on the cover of W Magazine in 1999. Crawford, who went on to experience a home birth, has spoken about the empowerment she felt as a birthing woman. For more on this please visit this webisode.
Cindy Crawford, June 1999 Issue of W Magazine