5 Shocking Secrets Behind Mark Wahlberg's Iconic Calvin Klein Underwear Campaign (And What Kate Moss Said Recently)

The black-and-white images of a ripped, 21-year-old Mark Wahlberg—then known as the rapper Marky Mark—and a waif-like, 17-year-old Kate Moss changed the landscape of fashion advertising forever when they debuted in 1992. This iconic Calvin Klein underwear campaign, shot by legendary photographer Herb Ritts, was a cultural lightning rod, instantly transforming Wahlberg from a pop star into a global sex symbol and launching Moss into supermodel orbit. Decades later, the campaign is still the benchmark for provocative celebrity endorsements, but recent reflections from both Wahlberg and Moss reveal new, complex layers to the story, connecting this notorious moment in '90s fashion history directly to the cultural conversations of December 2025. The enduring legacy of the Mark Wahlberg Calvin Klein ads goes beyond mere nostalgia; it’s a masterclass in marketing that fused street swagger with high fashion, challenging traditional ideas of masculinity and revolutionizing men's underwear advertising. However, the raw, unpolished nature of the shoot—a deliberate choice by the brand—has led to some surprising and candid admissions from the stars involved, casting a fresh perspective on one of the most memorable pop culture moments of the early 1990s.

Mark Wahlberg: A Quick Biography and Profile

Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg's journey from a troubled youth in Boston to an A-list Hollywood actor and successful producer is one of the industry's most compelling transformations. His early career as "Marky Mark" was the unexpected springboard for his global fame.

• Full Name: Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg
• Born: June 5, 1971, Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Age (as of 2025): 54
• Early Career: Rapper and frontman of the group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. His hit single "Good Vibrations" defined his initial pop culture presence.
• Calvin Klein Campaign: 1992 (at age 21)
• Transition to Acting: Began with roles in *The Basketball Diaries* (1995) and gained critical acclaim for *Boogie Nights* (1997).
• Notable Films: *The Departed* (Academy Award Nomination), *The Fighter*, *Ted*, *Patriots Day*, *Transformers* franchise.
• Other Ventures: Co-founder of the Wahlburgers restaurant chain and a prolific film/television producer.
• Family: Married to model Rhea Durham; they have four children.

The 1992 Campaign: A Pop Culture Phenomenon and Its Controversies

The 1992 Calvin Klein campaign for their boxer briefs and underwear line was a calculated risk that paid off handsomely, solidifying Calvin Klein’s reputation for provocative, boundary-pushing advertising. It was a stark departure from previous, more polished campaigns, embracing a gritty, street-style aesthetic.

The Fusion of 'Marky Mark' and High Fashion

The decision to cast Wahlberg, a former delinquent turned rapper, was a stroke of genius by Calvin Klein. Wahlberg brought an element of raw, unapologetic masculinity that was new to the world of high fashion modeling. The juxtaposition of his muscular physique and street cred with the minimalist, black-and-white photography of Herb Ritts created an image of accessible, yet aspirational, sex appeal. The ads were plastered on billboards worldwide, instantly becoming an iconic fashion moment of the 1990s. The campaign is credited with not only boosting Calvin Klein's sales but also with redefining how men’s underwear was marketed, moving it from a basic necessity to a powerful fashion statement. The famous, often-imitated "crotch grab" pose, reportedly improvised by Wahlberg on set, became the campaign's most recognizable, and most controversial, signature element.

The Kate Moss Factor and Recent Reflections

Perhaps the most enduring and complicated aspect of the campaign is the pairing of Wahlberg with a then-unknown, 17-year-old Kate Moss. Moss’s waifish, "heroin chic" look contrasted sharply with Wahlberg's muscular build, creating a palpable tension in the black-and-white photos. In recent years, both models have offered candid reflections that provide a new context for the shoot:

• Kate Moss’s Admission: Moss has spoken openly about her discomfort during the shoot, stating in interviews that she felt "scared" and had a "nervous breakdown" at the time. She recalled feeling vulnerable and not being treated well, highlighting the intense pressure placed on young models in the industry.
• Mark Wahlberg’s Reflection: Wahlberg has also reflected on the experience, describing his own behavior on set as "not very worldly." This retrospective view from the now-Hollywood veteran suggests a recognition of the dynamic and the atmosphere of the shoot that Moss found so challenging, adding a layer of complexity to the campaign’s legacy.

This fresh information, emerging decades later, challenges the purely celebratory view of the campaign, prompting a re-evaluation of the raw, often exploitative nature of '90s advertising that relied heavily on "raw sex appeal" and controversial imagery.

The Enduring Impact: From Marky Mark to Jeremy Allen White

The Mark Wahlberg Calvin Klein campaign didn't just sell underwear; it established a template for celebrity marketing that continues to this day. The brand’s strategy of using culturally relevant, often controversial, figures to model their underwear has created a lineage of iconic ads.

A Lineage of Provocateurs and Successors

Wahlberg’s shoot set the stage for every subsequent high-profile Calvin Klein underwear model. He provided the blueprint for fusing music, film, and fashion into a single, viral marketing moment. Other celebrities who have followed in his footsteps include:

• Justin Bieber: The pop star’s 2015 campaign drew direct comparisons to Wahlberg’s, attempting to recapture the same blend of pop culture relevance and chiseled physique.
• Jeremy Allen White (2024): Most recently, *The Bear* actor Jeremy Allen White's 2024 campaign has been hailed as the first to generate the same level of cultural buzz and internet reaction seen since the Wahlberg era. The campaign’s success has directly led to Wahlberg commenting on his successor.

Wahlberg’s Approval of the New Era

In a clear demonstration of the campaign's lasting relevance, Mark Wahlberg has recently given his seal of approval to the new generation of Calvin Klein models. He publicly called Jeremy Allen White a "worthy" successor, acknowledging that the brand’s tradition of using culturally significant figures to push boundaries is still strong. This connection to the current 2024/2025 zeitgeist ensures that the 1992 photos remain a relevant topic of discussion, not just a historical footnote. The Mark Wahlberg Calvin Klein campaign remains a fascinating case study in how a single advertising push can launch careers, redefine a brand, and create an indelible mark on pop culture. While the raw, unapologetic imagery was controversial then, the recent, candid reflections from Wahlberg and Moss now add a necessary layer of human complexity to its iconic, black-and-white legacy.