Paper Magazine

We’re in the Mahmood 💙 You may have seen @mahmood model for @willychavarrianewyork at NYFW, or heard his hits across the world (he’s competed on Eurovision, has 31 platinum records, 8 gold records and 3.5 billion total streams), but for Mahmood, the art is just one vessel for intimacy. “The way that I connect with new people is different,” he says, reflecting on past relationships’ influence on his latest music, like the single “RA TA TA,” out now. In his cover story for PAPER, Mahmood talks to Willy Chavarria about the rewards of opening up to people and staying true to yourself. “I wanted to feel free,” he adds. At the #linkinbio , the two chat about broken hearts, their evolving identities, the day they met and more. photography @hannahkhymych styling @marissa_pelly grooming @blaqfrancishair makeup @topkuhnt photo assistant @eirenach digi tech @antonellaalberti.nyc stylist assistant @byemaria stylist intern @phoeberinaa editor-in-chief @justintmoran managing editor @mattdwille editorial producer @angelinacantu music editor @ericacxmpbell cover type @qoralswjd_ story @kylelamarrice interview @willychavarrianewyork publisher @briancalle location @rein.studios

Oh she’s taking it! 🐤✨ Midwest princess and pop star @chappellroan is truly a “Femininomenon.” Known for her exaggerated aesthetics referencing drag artists, and catchy songwriting capabilities that have landed her on stages among the likes of @coachella and @hangoutfest , the rising star still keeps it modest. “I was signed for five years to Atlantic Records when I started making music, and then I was dropped in 2020 like everyone was,” she tells @trixiemattel . “I was like: ‘Bitch, I need to pull myself together. I have to give this a shot, one more year.’ It kind of worked.” And that it has. With multiple hits (like “Good Luck, Babe!”) capturing the hearts of girls, gays and theys everywhere, Roan’s rocking repertoire is proof that “there are queens everywhere, regardless if you think there are or not.” At the #linkinbio , fellow Midwestern queen and Drag Race darling Trixie Mattel sat down with Chappell Roan to talk about what it means to take on fame when everything all happens faster than you ever thought possible. Chappell Roan wears @coach Duck Bag With Quilting and Ruffle Lace Dress photography @hector__clark styling @genesiswbb makeup @donni.davy hair @fayemesss digitech @mattgaillet photo assistants @kealanshilling , @nickgrreen styling assistants @hunterclem_ , @goodbyenokiss makeup assistant @thegabriellealvarez production assistant @kelly_cole editor-in-chief @justintmoran managing editor @mattdwille production @samanthamovie editorial producer @angelinacantu music editor @ericacxmpbell cover type @qoralswjd_ interview @trixiemattel story @laracroftbarbie publisher @briancalle

Orville Peck is ready to take it all off… almost! 🫣 South African-born country singer @orvillepeck has built allure around an identity hidden behind fringe and leather, with his musical talents landing him as “the first openly gay country star to get signed to a major label,” as he tells friend @gottmik . The ascent from dive bars to massive stages has signaled a shift for Peck, gradually peeling away the layers of his identity — both musically and literally — as he reveals more of himself through his music and relies less on concealing his face. “It’s sort of a parallel with my songwriting and with just who I want to be as an artist and a person,” he says. “Which is to always be more vulnerable. So it’s kind of just an evolution.” That evolution has had its ups and downs, with Peck canceling a tour last summer to focus on his health, but he found new inspiration when country legend Willie Nelson reached out about collaborating on a controversial gay cowboy anthem — inspiring Peck to tap back into his passion for music. At the #linkinbio , he talks to close friend Gottmik about his duets album “Stampede,” living every gay’s literal dream and sliding into Kylie Minogue’s DMs. photography & direction @loudermilk creative & art direction @happydevilboy styling @cathyhahn hair & makeup @hatti_rees balloon artist @robbalchunas editing @happydevilboy photo assistant @foxhunter digi tech @garrettsarchive stylist assistants @jane__richardson , @talawless_ production assistants @officialricardodiaz , @jerkofalltrades extras @batgirlsclub , @horsegurl3000 , @thesirbub editor-in-chief @justintmoran managing editor @mattdwille editorial producer @angelinacantu music editor @ericacxmpbell cover type @qoralswjd_ story @michaelcuby interview @gottmik publisher @briancalle

Look at what we are, baby 💎 @honeymoon @quavohuncho Happy “Tough” release day to all who celebrate 🙋‍♀️ 📸: Wyatt Spain Winfrey

Fresh off the release of his latest album “Dennis,” a play on the name Dionysus (and the word “sinned” backwards), @segabodega is in a dreamscape all of his own. “Everything is different every time,” he says of his creative process from album to album. “I try a whole new approach quite often.” When asked about playing the record live, he tells us: “I want it to feel like a big, stupid club.” And we can’t wait for his upcoming NYC show with @bjork ! At the #linkinbio , the “producer first, and then a singer second” talked to PAPER about working with @0800shygirl and @eartheater , mysteries and misconceptions about inspiration, stress dreams and more ☁️ creative and photography @bryantorres.a styling @franciscougarte_ production @isamrtnzurita art direction @andreadel4vega makeup @rebecca.martin.mua lighting @joancalsina_ lighting asst. @oriol_puchol digital @ritasortino_ BTS artist @berta.de.la.cruz retouching @elretocador production asst. @valentinpattyn stylist asst. @mateomcmc art asst. @carla__carreras @juliaa_falco @andrearodbel publicist @emmy_mullen special thanks to @espai.333

I’ve never needed to queen out with anyone more 😫 @lourdesleon @eartheater 🖤 📸: Getty

HBD LILO 🚧 ✨ 📸: @jeremyscott for PAPER, 2008

TWINKS VS. DOLLS: ROUND 3! Spitting, toe-sucking, the infamous cigarette race: @singersny ’s Twinks vs. Dolls Olympics returned for its third iteration dirtier and more chaotic than ever before. “This isn’t a celebration of pride,” organizer Erik Escobar tells us. “This is a celebration of being shameless.” Read @tobiasfornow ’s boots-on-the-ground reportage and more photos of the filthy competition at the #linkinbio . 📸: @michael.costain

Law Roach is the happiest he’s ever been! 💙 @luxurylaw and @mickalenethomas chat about confidence, red carpet staleness and the freedom found in starting over at the #linkinbio .

British singer, producer and performance artist Babymorocco is working on a budget, but he’s got more than enough swag, wit and Tesco champagne to make up for his lack of funds. The music video for his new single, “Crazy Cheap,” premieres today on PAPER. 💰 “The song and video really are just about trying to make ends meet,” @babymorocco says. “We wanted to show how much swag we could achieve by just doing what we could.” Watch the video at the #linkinbio and read more about how Babymorocco pulled the visuals together. 🍾 📸: @erikakamano

Happy Birthday to the forever iconic @pamelaanderson 🍾🎂 📸: @vijatm for PAPER, March 2016

TWINKS VS. DOLLS: ROUND 3 🥊 Reigning champ @marley_fisting took PAPER to the frontlines of the infamous and locally renowned annual @singersny TWINKS VS. DOLLS competition to give us an inside scoop and reclaim her crown. WHICH TEAM ARE YOU? TWINK? DOLL? Or a secret third thing… HAPPY PRIDE EITHER WAY! xoxo