Justin Bieber poses for Calvin Klein—but he’s no Marky Mark
Photo: Mark Wahlberg in 1992 and Justin Bieber in 2014. Courtesy of Calvin Klein
If Justin Bieber’s new black and white Calvin Klein underwear ad shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott looks familiar, that’s because it’s been done before. Most recently by Nick Jonas for a Flaunt magazine spread. But decades ago, two years before Justin Bieber was even born, another teen idol made waves for the fashion house by striking a very similar pose.
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Back in 1992 there was absolutely no one hotter than Marky Mark. His older brother, Donnie Wahlberg, may have been in New Kids on the Block, the most popular band at the time, but after catching a glimpse of Mark’s abs in his “Good Vibrations” music video every other male celebrity paled in comparison. Then came the memorable black and white ads, some co-starring Kate Moss, shot by legendary photographer Herb Ritts. Girls tore it out of magazines and proudly taped them up in their lockers. Some may have made shrines. The images remain some of the most iconic fashion ads ever, but let’s be honest: no one was looking at Wahlberg’s white boxer briefs—they were looking at his bod.
Which brings us back to the Biebs. He admittedly looks pretty good, and the next generation of teens may be swooning. But Wahlberg, who you now know as a 43-year-old actor, did it first, and he did it better. For those of you nay-sayers, please watch this video from Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch and then let us know where you stand on this clearly pressing debate.
