Nicole Beharie, Laverne Cox Strip Down for Allure’s “Nude Issue”

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Allure Magazine ‘s 2015 Nude Issue stars Sleepy Hollow ‘s Nicole Beharie , Orange Is The New Black ‘s Laverne Cox , Furious 7 ‘s Jordana Brewster , Vikings Katheryn Winnick , and Terminator Genisys Sandrine Holt .

The on-screen beauties are captured in a gorgeous artistic nude shoot lensed by Norman Jean Roy .

Nicole Beharie for Allure Nude 2015 photographed by Norman Jean Roy

Nicole Beharie for Allure Nude 2015 photographed by Norman Jean Roy

“It requires athleticism,” Nicole says of her role as Detective Abbie Mills on Sleepy Hollow . “As a woman, it’s good to be able to handle your own shit.”

The 30-year-old actress shares how she prepares: “I run; I do a lot of dance classes; I swim; I really love lifting weights. I’ll make myself do something every day, even when my heart’s not in it.”

Although nervous about the shoot, Nicole says “I wanted to celebrate and accept my body in an artistic way.”

Laverne Cox for Allure Nude 2015 photographed by Norman Jean Roy

Laverne Cox for Allure Nude 2015 photographed by Norman Jean Roy

“Going through life, you try to cover and hide, but it doesn’t really work,” says Laverne, also 30, who at first turned down Allure’s request to pose nude.

“I said no initially, thought about it, and said no again,” she says. “But I’m a black transgender woman. I felt this could be really powerful for the communities that I represent. Black women are not often told that we’re beautiful unless we align with certain standards. Trans women certainly are not told we’re beautiful. Seeing a black transgender woman embracing and loving everything about herself might be inspiring to some other folks. There’s beauty in the things we think are imperfect. That sounds very cliché, but it’s true.”

“I honestly just want to make myself happy most,” she adds. “And if other people like it, then that’s great. If they don’t, then I’m still happy.”

See more photos from the shoot along with behind-the-scenes video below.

Jordana Brewster for Allure Nude 2015 photographed by Norman Jean Roy

Jordana Brewster for Allure Nude 2015 photographed by Norman Jean Roy

Katheryn Winnick for Allure Nude 2015 photographed by Norman Jean Roy

Katheryn Winnick for Allure Nude 2015 photographed by Norman Jean Roy

Sandrine Holt for Allure Nude 2015 photographed by Norman Jean Roy

Sandrine Holt for Allure Nude 2015 photographed by Norman Jean Roy

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