Ciara has found a failsafe way to focus attention on her forthcoming third LP, Fantasy Ride: The singer appears nude (albeit with parts of her body strategically covered) on the cover of the October issue of Vibe magazine.
And the revelations don't end there: The 22-year-old singer — who has been rumored to be romantically linked with 50 Cent — also talks about fame and her love life in the magazine, which hits newsstands on September 16.
More on Ciara, plus the controversial photo, after the jump.
According to a press release, Ciara addresses her relationship with 50 in the article, but we guess we'll have to wait till the magazine arrives to find out what she said! She did, however, confirm that she and producer Jazzy Pha are no longer an item.
The singer also divulged her motto when it comes to dating: "You don't have to sell yourself out," she said. "Take your time to get to know somebody before you involve the physical aspect ... it's just not the way to start off. It creates confusion.
"When you subtract those things," she continued, "it allows you to focus more on who the person is."
The singer also provided some info about her forthcoming new LP, which she described as more eclectic than her previous efforts, and noted that some new producers came on board. "You're gonna get more attitude, more aggressiveness — everything is intensified," she said. "You get your sensual vibe. You're gonna get the street, you're gonna get the 'hood."
Ciara also talked about dealing with public scrutiny — including a bizarre rumor she heard that the Vibe cover should put to rest once and for all. "I was meticulous about the things I would share, but people are gonna say what they wanna say ... they said I was a man!" she laughed. "It doesn't get any worse than that."
Ciara will be a presenter at Sunday's Video Music Awards, along with Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johansson, Olympian Michael Phelps, "High School Musical" stars Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, and many more!
Now that you've helped us pick the nominees for this year's Video Music Awards, head to VMA.MTV.com to vote for your favorite in the Best New Artist category, check out the latest additions to the performer and presenter lineups, see the best (and worst) of VMA fashion and much more. Then tune in this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET for MTV News' "Opening Act" on the red carpet, followed by the big show, live from Hollywood at 9 p.m. ET.