JFK Jr’s George magazine turned politics into entertainment by mixing serious topics with celebrity culture and fashion world glamour. The political magazine ran from 1995 to 1999 and featured surprising collaborations that nobody expected.
The magazine’s creative approach led to wild behind-the-scenes moments. In 1997, creative director Matt Berman planned an elaborate Garden of Eden photo shoot for their “20 most fascinating women in politics” feature. Pamela Anderson was supposed to star as the “first woman” surrounded by live animals and lush greenery.
Last-Minute Celebrity Switch
The night before the shoot, Anderson canceled with just a note at Berman’s hotel. In a stroke of luck, photographer Mario Sorrenti was already on set and helped secure Kate Moss as a replacement that same night. The political magazine suddenly had one of the world’s biggest supermodels on their cover.
Berman, who came from Elle magazine’s fashion world, worked closely with Kennedy Jr. to “seduce people” into reading about politics. They borrowed techniques from fashion and music magazines to make government topics feel exciting and accessible.
For the same issue, Kennedy Jr. posed as Adam for the biblical theme and wrote candidly about criticism of the magazine’s approach. He acknowledged the substance-over-style debate in his editor’s letter while dangling an apple overhead.
George magazine ended when Kennedy Jr. died in 1999, but it showed how political media could break traditional rules and attract new audiences through unexpected creative partnerships.
