Kristen Stewart, Chris Lee, Yara Shahidi And More Star In The 2020 Pirelli Calendar

Juliet’s most famous line might be, “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” but in the Shakespearean 2020 Pirelli Calendar there is not a single Romeo to be found.

“There’s no Romeo here, there are only Juliets who show up for a casting call, respond to questions, and reveal their own version of the character before re-enacting a passage from the tragedy, in costume,” photographer Paolo Roversi told Vogue earlier this year of his inspiration for the 2020 cal. “What was very moving was to see actresses of this level audition like it was their first casting. There’s something so innocent, naïve, and sincere about it that really corresponds to Juliet.”

In the just-released images, actresses of all strokes appear in contemporary garb and period-inspired dress to perform their best impressions of Shakespeare’s ill-fated heroine. The all-star cast is comprised of Chris Lee, Claire Foy, Emma Watson, Indya Moore, Kristen Stewart, Mia Goth, Rosalía, Yara Shahidi, and Roversi’s daughter Stella. Included in the calendar’s final images is Shahidi’s own copy of Shakespeare’s play, “You literally can’t read it anymore because there are so many notes,” she previously told Vogue, adding that even though Juliet might be considered a tragic character, she has many admirable qualities.

“There’s real power in Juliet’s irrationality,” Shahidi said. “Standing up for what you want, being willing to rebut society is what really motivates the story. All of us were focused on strength and power, and that was truly transformational. From a creative standpoint it’s refreshing and fun and just so cool, because I had never done anything like this.”