Cosmo Australia brings back the iconic male centrefold
Cosmopolitan Australia has announced the return of its iconic centrefold – kicking things off with Netflix’s Heartbreak High actor and model, Josh Heuston.
In April 1972, Cosmopolitan US made headlines by featuring Burt Reynolds as the first-ever male nude centrefold – a bold move that pushed the boundaries of mainstream media.
Most international versions of Cosmopolitan did not adopt the male centrefold feature in the same manner, including Cosmopolitan Australia, but another Australian publication – Cleo – did. Cosmopolitan US also did not continue the centrefolds, following Reynolds’ edition.
Burt Reynolds’ April 1972 centrefold
Cleo Australia featured actor Jack Thompson as its first male nude centrefold, with other editions featuring Australian names including racing driver Peter Brock, actor Eric Oldfield, entrepreneur Richard Branson, Neighbours actors Guy Pearce and Scott McGregor, Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, TV Presenters Jamie Durie and Tom Williams, actor Firass Dirani, Home and Away actors Lincoln Lewis and Todd Lasance, and first-ever Australian Bachelor Tim Robards.
The phenomenon captured the changing attitudes towards sexuality and gender roles in the 1970s, and Cleo Australia included them until it was phased out in the early 9’0s. It did, however, have a brief revival in 2005.
Tess Ogle, Cosmo Australia editor, said 2024 is all about celebrating empowerment, diversity, and unapologetic confidence, so it felt right to bring the centrefold to life now.
“The modern Cosmopolitan reader isn’t just flipping through pages; she’s making waves, breaking boundaries, and owning her desires,” Ogle said.
“Also, the one question we were asked repeatedly when we relaunched Cosmo back into Australia with overwhelming support this year was, ‘Please, tell us you’re bring back the centrefold?!’ Well, we heard loud and clear – our readers want bold, they want fresh, and they want content that speaks to the empowered woman of today.
“So, we’re delivering just that by reviving the centrefold in a way that feels authentic, exciting, and oh-so-Cosmo. We’re excited to make history together. Because Cosmo doesn’t just follow trends, we set them.”
The Dec-Jan edition features model and actor on Netflix’s Heartbreak High, Josh Heuston.
Josh Heuston for the Dec-Jan edition of Cosmo Australia
Heuston said being asked to be on the cover is already a huge honour, let alone to be part of the new-look centrefold feature – which will now be double-sided.
“We had so much fun collaborating on set – I’m incredibly proud to be part of the magazine’s history in such a unique way!,” he said.
Publisher of Cosmopolitan, Katarina Kroslakova, said by reintroducing the centrefold, the magazine is igniting a movement.
“By reintroducing the centrefold, we’re not just turning pages, we’re turning heads and starting conversations. This isn’t about nostalgia – though we love that too – it’s about igniting a movement that celebrates confidence, diversity, and the multifaceted nature of attraction,” she explained.
“It’s about showcasing men who are as dynamic and empowering as the women who read our magazine. And did we mention it’s a double-sided centrefold? That’s two steamy pics and a lot of bang for buck.”
The issue will be available on December 2.
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the creative and PR beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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topics
Burt Reynolds
centrefold
Cosmo
Cosmo Australia
Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan Australia
Josh Heuston
Katarina Kroslakova
Tess Ogle
Sorry, I’d prefer a good recipe.
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Sorry, not an enticement to buy the mag!
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That makes sense to men in today’s woke age.
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Genuinely, who is buying Cosmo? And who is excited about a centrefold when they can just logon to instragram and get the same experience?
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I would like to take a moment to celebrate the fact that the editor’s name is Ogle.
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