SZA has unveiled the cover art for her sophomore album S.O.S. and it evokes a photo of Princess Diana taken only days before her tragic death.
The 33-year-old R&B singer is pictured wearing a hockey jersey and boots while sitting on the edge of a diving board extended over the ocean.
Fans were quick to compare it to the 1997 photograph of Diana perched on the end of a diving board off the luxury yacht Jonikal. SZA has not said if the homage was intentional.
SZA as Princess Diana pic.twitter.com/7hcxB4vjLj
— SZA Charts (@ChartingSZA) November 30, 2022
“SZA is really the people’s princess,” one person tweeted. Another wrote: “SZA is Princess Diana’s second coming.”
Some fans expressed surprise at the choice of image. “I never thot SZA would pay homage to Diana like this,” one wrote, and another asked: “concerning or creative?"
Singer Chlöe opined: "this cover is INSANE" and there were kudos in the comments from artists like Lizzo and Benny Blanco.
S.O.S. will be SZA’s first album since 2017’s Ctrl. She has not revealed a release date.
Check out some of the reactions to the cover:
SZA is the people’s princess pic.twitter.com/OpjXddFfIW
— RELEASE YOUR JOB (@BaileyUnspoken) December 1, 2022
SZA's new album cover is insane. The reference to Princess Diana is sooo good
— erfaan (@erfaanarif) December 1, 2022
Sza is giving Princess Diana in her new album cover
— kathy (@kathymarma) December 1, 2022
sza's sophomore album cover gave princess diana and i’m here for it pic.twitter.com/TU6cer5tVV
— RE (@moreofmaur) December 1, 2022
SZA , the people’s princess. pic.twitter.com/C7RK0h2Uge
— lili ❀ (@LILASLIBERTE) December 1, 2022
Sza got me watching a Princess Diana documentary cuz why would she recreate her photo for album art
— Dij (@homeboyfriend_) December 1, 2022
the new sza album cover reminds me of that photo of princess diana sitting on a diving board in her bathing suit. i’m totally serious.
— C☆NDY (@daisyfreshgirl) December 1, 2022
@sza new album cover instantly made me think of this picture of Princess Diana. I know it’s just a coincidence but either way my emotions aren’t ready pic.twitter.com/EwR3FCKAid
— fluffyumby (@fluffyumby) December 1, 2022