Who’s that lady? In Harper’s Bazaar’s upcoming September issue, some of the industry’s biggest names — including Katy Perry, Oprah Winfrey, and Mariah Carey — transformed into their own versions of iconic divas, and the results are amazing.
“I thought it would be interesting to show how an established character with a strong personality might have fantasies about his image, which has nothing to do with the idea the general public has of them,” photographer Jean-Paul Goude said in an interview about the unique shoot. “For once, I didn’t feel that I was imposing anything on anybody.”
“The subject decided,” he said. “I just tried to interpret their vision of themselves, the best way I could.”
One particularly arresting shot features Perry, 30, glammed up as an Andy Warhol-esque version of Elizabeth Taylor. In the image, the “Firework” singer is nearly unrecognizable under layers of exaggerated eyeshadow and set in front of a hot pink backdrop.
“An icon transcends time,” she told the magazine. “Liz was so fabulous and decadent and had a style that evolved with the years …and I’m sure I’ll be married just as many times!”
In another photo, Winfrey poses as Glinda the Good Witch, complete with an extravagant pink gown and glowing wand. The talk show host holds a black-and-white photo of Judy Garland as Dorothy in the crook of her right arm in a nod to the late actress.
“This photo shoot was like no other,” Winfrey captioned the image, which she shared with fans on her Instagram on Thursday, July 30.
Other superstars featured in the shoot included Carey as Marie Antoinette, Dakota Johnson as Aphrodite (“she embodies the power of love and pleasure and represents the mystery and intricacy of women”), and Willow Smith as goddess Kali, among others.