A photo of actresses Sophia Loren and Jayne Mansfield taken 60 years ago is arguably one of the most iconic images to come out of Hollywood.
In the snap, Loren is pictured staring daggers at an oblivious Mansfield, who was busy putting on her best smile for the camera.
There's a very good chance that you have come across the infamous photo at one point in your life, but you probably don't know how it came to be.
Over the last six decades, people have speculated that Loren was giving the late Mansfield a dirty look because she didn't like how the blonde bombshell was stealing her thunder, and while this isn't completely correct, it isn't wrong either.
83-year-old Loren finally explained the true story behind the photo in a recent interview to clear up the rumors.
Are you ready to find out the truth?
The Italian Oscar-winning actress sat down for an interview with Entertainment Weekly and explained the context behind the photo, which is now being featured in People's 100 Best Celebrity Photos, a new book put together by the editors of the magazine.
Turns out, the photo was taken during a party thrown by Paramount in Beverly Hills to welcome Loren to Hollywood after she signed a deal with the studio.
"Paramount had organized a party for me. All of cinema was there, it was incredible. And then comes in Jayne Mansfield, the last one to come," explained Loren.
The spotlight was supposed to shine on Loren that night, but instead Mansfield unexpectedly stole it from her.
"She came right for my table. She knew everyone was watching. She sat down. And now, she was barely . . . Listen. Look at the picture. Where are my eyes? I'm staring at her nipples because I am afraid they are about to come onto my plate," Loren continued.
"In my face you can see the fear. I'm so frightened that everything in her dress is going to blow"”BOOM!"”and spill all over the table," she added.
Loren said that while there was no actual bad blood between her and Mansfield, this picture perfectly summed up how she felt that particular night. The Houseboat actress explained that although she and Mansfield laughed together and had a good time for the remainder of the evening, she couldn't take her mind off the revealing dress.
"Well, there may be other photos, but this is the picture. This is the one that shows how it was. This is the only picture."
Loren went on to explain that since the picture was snapped, she has seen it nearly everywhere, but even after all these years she doesn't enjoy being associated with it, especially since Mansfield died.
"Actually, many, many times I am given this photo to autograph it. And I never do. I don't want to have anything to do with that. And also out of respect for Jayne Mansfield because she's not with us anymore."
Mansfield died in April 1967 after being involved in a car crash.
