Actress and trans activist, Laverne Cox, promotes positive body image by baring all in a photoshoot for Allure Magazine.

The 30 year-old, who is perhaps best known for her role in Orange is the New Black as transgender hairdresser Sophia Burset, posed nude for a Allure Magazine, although she admits having turned down the request several times until finally agreeing to it.

“Going through life, you try to cover and hide, but it doesn’t really work,” she said. “I said no initially, thought about it, and said no again. But I’m a black transgender woman. I felt this could be really powerful for the communities that I represent. Black women are not often told that we’re beautiful unless we align with certain standards. Trans women certainly are not told we’re beautiful. Seeing a black transgender woman embracing and loving everything about herself might be inspiring to some other folks.

“There’s beauty in the things we think are imperfect. That sounds very cliché, but it’s true.”

Other celebrities who posed nude included Jordana Brewster from The Fast & The Furious franchise and Vikings star Katheryn Winnick.

Catch Laverne in season three of Orange is the New Black, which premieres on Netflix on June 12.

Watch a behind-the-scenes look at the photoshoot.