Celebrity4 min(s) read
Photographer reveals how Melania Trump feels towards naked photoshoot
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The photographer behind the viral nude photoshoot with First Lady Melania Trump has revealed what working with her was like, and how she feels about it today.
Back in 1996, Melania Trump was one of two models who featured in a now-viral photoshoot by Alexandre 'Ale' de Basseville.
Her photos were part of a broader series early on in Ale's career, with the then-model working predominantly in the fashion industry as Melania Knauss.
Alongside her was Swedish model Emma Eriksson, as the pair infamously posed naked together in bed.
While the photographer recalls the photos gaining traction for the first time during the 2016 Presidential election, they have gone viral several times since.
In one of the most famous images from the shoot, Eriksson can be seen hugging Melania from behind, with the latter's past career often making it into the spotlight.
Ale de Basseville recalls how Melania was on shoot
Melania was in her mid-20s and starting in modeling when she was chosen for the photoshoot by Ale, who is now selling one of the photographs on his website for $32,000.
He previously said of the shoot: "I always loved women together, because I have been with a lot of women who desired the ménage à trois."
Speaking to VT, the photographer recalled what it was like to work with the future First Lady, describing her as 'super cool'.
He was particularly struck by her personality, given that she came from Slovenia, in the then-politically charged Eastern Europe.
Ale spoke about his visits to the region at the time, explaining: "The East was terrible. I cannot paint you a picture; it was terrible. We saw it after communism.
"It was insane; then we see this girl coming from Slovenia, and she's coming like a flower. It didn't make sense," he said of Melania.
The photographer took a chance on her, pairing her up with Eriksson despite being a relative unknown in the industry at the time, noting that her physical attributes and 'perfect' teeth helped.
He recalled getting a drink with her after the photoshoot, when Eriksson had to jet off for more work in Paris, admitting that Melania was 'super cool with me', as he spoke to her about her upbringing and homeland.
The photos themselves took years to come out, after numerous editors around Europe refused to publish them as Melania was not yet famous.
Ale would find out that she was dating Donald Trump at the time and tried to tell editors this, but they wouldn't budge.
Reflecting on the virality of these images today, Ale described the fame as a 'parody' while laughing, as nobody expected Melania to become the powerful political figure she is today.
While he is happy the photos went live, the artist admitted that he is not too fussed about the fame - but what about Melania?
Ale explains that Melania has not tried to take photos down
While he revealed that publications all across the world, bar France, have paid for copyrights to the photos, Melania hasn't been an issue.
Ale suggested that it may be because she understood that he was an artist, explaining: "She never had any problems with me or whatever. Because I mean, she understood that what I did is art.
"So maybe if I was not an artist, maybe I would have problems or whatever, because I know a lot of people who have been working with her; they had problems with her.
"On the day, it was cold, but she didn't say anything - she was always super cool, and her sister was also an assistant in my studio for a couple of shoots as a stylist," Ale revealed.