Exploring the Fascination with Nuns in Modern Pop Culture

This week, Rihanna wowed everyone with her new cover shoot for Interview magazine. The photos challenged the traditional image of a nun in a fresh and unexpected way. The cover featured Rihanna with glossy lips, creating a bold and eye-catching look.

Shortly after the release of the new nun movie “Immaculate” in theaters, starring Sydney Sweeney as a pregnant sister, Rihanna's cover shoot added to the buzz. The movie follows a secretly pregnant sister fighting for survival in an Italian convent.

These daring outfits worn by Rihanna are just the latest example of pop culture reimagining the lives and relationships of nuns. There is a long history of unconventional interpretations of nuns in movies, music, and fashion.

In the world of fashion, designers often find inspiration in sisters. John Galliano, during his time at Dior, created a Haute Couture collection in 2008 with pointed wimples reminiscent of 1950s nun attire. He continued this theme in 2019 at Maison Margiela with models wearing white and black cloth veils. Other designers like Schiaparelli, Marine Serre, Emilia Wickstead, and Vaquera have also reimagined the classic nun silhouette. Recently, Bella Hadid was seen on the Coperni Fall-Winter 2022 runway sporting headgear similar to a nun's habit.

In Sydney Sweeney's latest film, she plays a woman who joins a convent in a remote part of Italy.

In Sydney Sweeney's latest film, she plays a woman who joins a convent in a remote part of Italy.

NEON

Nuns have been portrayed in unconventional ways, such as enjoying ice cream on greeting cards or sporting tongue piercings while taking communion. A famous photo from 1965, often linked to the Hulton-Deutsch Collection, shows four sisters gathered around a cigarette. Artists like Andy Warhol, Ken Vrana, and Yoshitomo Nara have been inspired by nuns, creating their own unique interpretations. Warhol, for instance, depicted actress Ingrid Bergman as a nun in his 1983 pop art piece "The Nun." Vrana's 2014 painting features a nun in a wrestling ring, while Nara's 2002 artwork shows a nun flying in a mini-plane.

But what is it about nuns that has captured the interest of so many?

Dr. Lynn S. Neal, author of “Religion in Vogue: Christianity and Fashion in America,” explained that people are fascinated by the nun's habit because it brings up ideas of holiness, self-denial, and service. It goes beyond what is expected and sets boundaries.

Cinema has always been interested in the lives of nuns, trying to challenge the traditional views. In 1959, the movie “The Nun’s Story” with Audrey Hepburn explored the story of a nun who leaves her religious life. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, European films created a subgenre called “Nunsploitation.” Movies like “Our Lady of Lust,” “Behind Convent Walls,” and “The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine” portrayed nuns as sexually obsessed and evil. For example, “Killer Nun” tells the story of Sister Gertrude, a nurse who goes on a murderous rampage after a psychotic break.

Italy is home to many films, with a large percentage of its adult population identifying as Catholics, according to a study by the Pew Research Center in 2018.

Courtesy Duhamel Fine Art, Paris

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Rihanna fronted the cover of Interview magazine, photographed by Nadia Lee Cohen.

Rihanna fronted the cover of Interview magazine, photographed by Nadia Lee Cohen.

Nadia Lee Cohen/Interview

Nuns continue to have an impact on the film industry today. The popular horror series "The Conjuring" has spawned two spin-off movies - "The Nun" (2018) and "The Nun 2" (2023) - with fans eagerly anticipating a third installment. In 2020, the arthouse studio A24 released "Saint Maud," while "Benedetta," a film depicting a forbidden lesbian relationship between two nuns in the 17th century, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021.

In a lighter vein, "Sister Act 3," the third installment in the beloved "Sister Act" franchise from the 1990s featuring Whoopi Goldberg, is currently in the works.

The "Sister Act" franchise, which stars Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer posing as a nun, will reportedly return for a third film, though no release date has been specified.

The popular "Sister Act" movies featuring Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer pretending to be a nun are set to make a comeback with a third film. However, the exact release date for the new movie has not been announced yet.

In this case, both Rihanna and Sweeney are participating in a long-standing tradition of challenging the traditional image associated with nuns. Sweeney even used her recent hosting gig on “Saturday Night Live” to make jokes about being typecast in sexualized roles.

According to Dr. Neal, the contrast between the nun's attire and expressions of sexuality or individuality is attention-grabbing. Some view this as a form of rebellion against societal norms or a critique of organized religion, while others find it disrespectful or even blasphemous. Regardless, these actions often generate a lot of attention and publicity.

Editor's P/S:

Rihanna and Sydney Sweeney's recent portrayals of nuns have reignited the debate surrounding the reimagined image of nuns in popular culture. These bold representations challenge the traditional perception of nuns as solely pious and chaste figures, instead presenting them as multifaceted individuals with complex desires and experiences. While some may find these interpretations provocative or even offensive, they undoubtedly spark important conversations about the evolving nature of faith, sexuality, and female empowerment within religious institutions.

The article highlights the rich history of unconventional nun portrayals in fashion, art, and film, demonstrating the enduring fascination with the contrast between the nun's habit and expressions of individuality. This fascination stems from the inherent tension between the perceived purity and selflessness associated with nuns and the human emotions and desires they may possess. By exploring these complex themes, contemporary representations of nuns offer a nuanced and thought-provoking commentary on the complexities of human nature and the changing role of religion in modern society.