Production insiders addressed one of the most discussed questions surrounding Walton Goggins’ GQ Men of the Year photoshoot ahead of the magazine’s 30th anniversary release. The actor and those present for the shoot explained why Goggins insisted on appearing fully nude for the feature, according to a source.
Sources suggest Walton Goggins insisted on going naked
Sources from Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice report that Walton Goggins insisted on appearing fully nude in his GQ Men of the Year 30th anniversary issue, with production insiders stating he drove the decision from the start.
One insider said he “wouldn’t take no for an answer,” noting that although “GQ is a fashion magazine,” his level of commitment left “no” off the table. The resulting image shows Goggins nude on a patio chair wearing only sunglasses and smoking a cigarette.
According to the report, the photoshoot aligned with what Goggins described as his personal “rebirth.” He told GQ, “I’ve been torn down to nothing and rebuilding. I feel liberated. Light.” His remarks connect his decision to pose nude with a period of restructuring following his work as Rick Hatchett in The White Lotus Season 3. The material emphasizes his framing of the moment as part of an internal reset rather than a standalone creative gesture.
Production staff approved the concept after Goggins made clear he would proceed regardless of typical fashion-spread boundaries. One insider said the team recognized the actor’s certainty about the shoot and noted that the direction came entirely from him. These details show that Goggins originated the approach rather than the magazine.
Goggins also addressed coverage about tension with co-star Aimee Lou Wood. He said there was “no bad blood,” directly clarifying their working relationship. His remarks responded to circulating claims of conflict and appeared alongside his discussion of professional and personal changes.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
