116 Across

NYT Daily • September 7, 2025

The supermodel was holding a copy of ___ herself on the beach

Answer:

“ELLE”, FANNING

Hint:

This magazine’s name sounds like the French word for "she," and the cover star shares a last name with a famous actress who played a young princess in 2014.

Explanation:

This clue plays on the idea of a supermodel posing with a magazine featuring herself on the cover. "ELLE" is a famous fashion magazine, and "FANNING" refers to Elle Fanning, the actress and model who’s appeared on its cover. The wordplay hints at both the publication and the person—so the answer combines the magazine title in quotes and the last name of the model holding it. It’s a clever way to merge a brand and a celebrity in one answer.

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