Emily Ratajkowski on ‘When and How I Want to Share My Sexuality'

Actress and model Emily Ratajkowski is taking the cover of InStyle's March issue, talking inside about her childhood and her thoughts on feeling empowered to express her sexuality.

Wearing an exclusive shirt designed by Off White designer Virgil Abloh on the cover, the 25-year-old opened up about feeling disconnected from pop culture references growing up due to her sheltered upbringing. “Whenever a Spice Girls song came on, everyone knew the words, but it was, like, totally over my head.”

These days, she feels more connected, and that includes being able to express herself sexually. “The main criticism I get is, 'Aren't you just conforming to a patriarchal standard of beauty?' Well, this is just the body I was given. I didn't do anything to it— it's just my body. But even if I had altered it, that would be fine, too.”

Choice is key for Emily, who has had to deal with illicit photos of herself being shared without her approval. “So I used Twitter to reinforce an idea that I've believed in forever, which is that it's up to me to choose when and how I want to share my sexuality.”