Episode 12:

Rolling Stone Close Read: 1999

(Originally released on June 13, 2019)

Here is the full text of the 1999 Rolling Stone cover story by Steven Daly.

In addition to the photo above, the magazine spread included these images shot by David LaChapelle:

Here’s a quote from David LaChapelle talking about the shoot years later.

Here’s a video of flipping through a hard copy of the magazine if you want to check out the layout.

The cover (and inside images) caused a huge controversy at the time and it continues to be one of the most infamous magazine covers of all time.

Part of the controversy was not just what Britney was wearing on the cover, but that she was holding Tinky Winky, the purple Teletubby who was rumored to be gay.

Here is more about the behind the scenes of the BOMT video, which we mention in this episode.

Thanks for listening!