Jonathan Becker has a story to tell. In fact, he’s got quite a few – so many that, occasionally, it’s hard to keep up. Currently, we’re talking particularly about his relationship with the Trumps, a long affair documented by a catalogue of some 21 photographs in Becker’s portfolio. There’s a specific portrait he wants to talk about: Melania, dressed in a glaringly purple dress, standing next to her ominous reflection in the window beside her. To her left is a panoramic view over New York City, from the top of Trump Tower. On her right, the garish gold apartment inside. “And she’s in the corner,” says Becker. “Between a rock and a hard place.”
Back then, in 2005, Trump was just a character around town, and Melania was a socialite being photographed by Becker for Tatler. It’s a time warp of sorts – twenty years later, their story has contorted to the point that these photos (almost) feel naive in some way. But underneath the glossy finish, he tells me that he doubts much has changed about the people they really are.
“I got to know Melania quite well,” says Becker. “She’s very quiet, she’s discreet, but she has flamboyant tastes.” In the photo, taken for Tatler, her hands are up, arms guarding her chest. She looks quite vulnerable, I say. Becker’s reply is immediate: “She is vulnerable,” he says certainly. “She’s very vulnerable. Always has been.”
He adds. “Melania’s an interesting creature. She doesn’t do what she’s told.”
Becker has a backstory for every photograph that is printed in a new coffee table book of his life’s work, Jonathan Becker: Lost Time, each one as compelling as the next. The retrospective, a beautifully bound collection of 200 images spanning five decades of Becker’s spent in New York, London, Paris and Buenos Aires, contains some of the best portraits ever taken.
Esta historia es de la edición November 05, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 05, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The Extremism Of Trump's Pick For Intelligence Chief
Tulsi Gabbard made the journey from anti-war Democrat to Moscow-friendly Maga warrior. Rich Hall looks at how
Will Labour Party Mps Get Behind Pm's Welfare Blitz?
Labour's blitz on benefits comes with some eye-catching language from the prime minister, announced in The Mail on Sunday. He has warned of Britain's "bulging benefits bill blighting our society" as he vows to cut the £137bn cost.
England hammer Japan to end vexing autumn on high
After a November of frets and frustration came a chance for fun and frolics for England.
Verstappen pulls up next to F1 elite with his fourth title
Dutch driver seals championship under lights of Las Vegas
Treasure's chest! Salah stars for Reds in comeback win
Liverpool moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League yesterday as Mohamed Salah scored twice to help them come from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 at St Mary’s.
Amorim kicks-off United role with lacklustre draw
Ruben Amorim can at least remind himself that Manchester United’s best managers have had worse starts.
Have I got time to get a new passport for trip to Europe?
Q My passport expires in July 2025. Is the Passport Office doing renewals quickly these days? If not, when is the best time? I intend to go to Europe before March.
Far-right populist leads in Romanian presidential vote
A far-right populist took the lead in Romania's presidential election yesterday and will probably face leftist prime minister Marcel Ciolacu in a runoff in two weeks, an outcome that rocked the country's political landscape.
Three held after prominent Israeli rabbi killed in Dubai
Emirati police question men as Iran denies any involvement
Lab test monkeys are flown to UK 'injured and terrified'
Monkeys flown into the UK for laboratory testing were so badly injured that their crates were smeared with blood, photographs suggest.