Jessica Chastain for Vogue US December 2013

Two-time Oscar-nominated actress Jessica Chastain covers the December 2013 issue of American Vogue, which is, surprisingly, her first cover for the mag.

Annie Leibovitz captures Jessica as she recreates classic paintings wearing Alexander Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang and Alexander McQueen. Even the cover is art-inspired as Jessica wears a yellow Theory by Theyskens gown evoking the image of Frederic Leighton’s famous ‘Flaming June’ painting.

She talks to Vogue about her life and how she’s very shy, and her best friend Jess Weixler talks about the star’s strong work ethic.

You can read some extracts below or go to Vogue.com. The December issue hits newsstands November 19.

On her life: “My life has gone, you know, a little wonderful and crazy.”

On her confidence: “I did not feel like a beautiful woman that people would kill each other for. Jessica – who I am in my personal life – I’m very shy, I feel very awkward, I don’t feel like a femme fatale at all.”

Jess Weixler, her best friend from Juilliard, on young Jessica: “She’s always been unbelievably focused. It used to drive the guys crazy. ‘Why won’t Jessica stay up late?’ There were a few times when I was like: I can’t believe she’s waking up on a Saturday to go to an extra class.”