Kristen Stewart has stood firm in defense of her gender-bending photoshoot for the March cover of Rolling Stone magazine, which stirred both admiration and controversy across social media platforms. At a press conference during the Berlin Film Festival where she was promoting her latest film Love Lies Bleeding, Stewart addressed the polarizing reaction to the spread.

Her unconventional portrayal is being labeled as androgynous and has been recognized by her LGBTQ+ fanbase who appreciated the departure from the conventional male gaze. In the image, Stewart sports a mullet and unconventional attire including jock straps and basketball shorts.

As a bisexual individual, Stewart found empowerment in defying stereotypes, asserting the importance of diverse representation in media. She emphasized the significance of embracing different perspectives and experiences, advocating for mainstream acceptance of LGBTQ+ narratives rather than relegating them to niche audiences.

As the topic shifted to her film career, Stewart underscored the importance of broader inclusivity in cinema. She discussed her involvement in Love Lies Bleeding, a film directed by Rose Glass, which explores themes of love and crime against the backdrop of small-town America. Stewart expressed her commitment to bringing diverse stories to wider audiences, citing her role in Happiest Season, a commercially-driven LGBTQ+ romcom.

Furthermore, Stewart provided insight into her upcoming project, a biopic on Susan Sontag, which she described as a unique and experimental endeavor combining documentary elements with traditional filmmaking techniques.

Love Lies Bleeding, which premiered at Sundance to critical acclaim, is slated for release by A24 on March 8, 2024, promising audiences a compelling narrative infused with Stewart’s trademark charisma.