Tom Cruise Flaunts Fake Tattoos as Rock Of Ages Singer Stacee Jaxx For W Magazine

When we read hilarious blog Suri’s Burn Book’s verdict on Tom Cruise’s photoshoot for the June issue of W magazine (‘putting this disturbing photo of Tom on its cover is the worst mistake W has made since firing Blair Waldorf’), we weren’t sure quite what the big deal was. Now, after seeing the pistol tattoos, the punk-rocker hair, eyeliner and the er, Gene Simmons-inspired tongue pose, we understand.

We must clear this up though: 49-year-old Tom hasn’t turned to the dark side. He is, instead, fully in his ‘Rock of Ages’ character, Stacee Jaxx, who’s a rockstar with a six-pack, bulging heart tattoo and a baboon named Hey Man. Tom revealed that he learnt his dance moves from 1970s TV pop/dance show Soul Train and decided to do the film after Katie Holmes - who he tells W is a huge fan of musicals like ‘Hairspray’ - expressed enthusiasm. Brownie points!

After watching ‘Rock of Ages’ - a story about chasing the big city dream in 1987 Los Angeles - in the theatre, Tom had his doubts, ‘I didn't know how to play the character like that. I had to find my own Stacee Jaxx’ but with co-stars including Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Justin Theroux (yes Jennifer Aniston’s beau!) and Catherine Zeta Jones, we’re confident the film is going to do the musical justice.

Now, enjoy scrolling (and giggling) through these amazing photos of Tom Cruise in full character, taken by noted fashion photographer (and Kate Moss’s ex), Mario Sorrenti. Rock on people!