“Couldn’t Be Bothered To Hire A Black Photographer”: Vogue Under Fire For Latest Simone Biles Cover
Vogue has caused a stir in the US for failing to hire a black photographer to shoot the cover of its latest edition.
The August issue of Vogue features Olympic gymnast Simone Biles on the cover, who speaks to the publication about the recent Black Lives Matter protests, body image and the postponement of this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
The photos of Biles were taken by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz.
However, The New York Times picture editor Morrigan McCarthy has led the criticism of the photos.
“I adore Simone Biles and am thrilled she’s on this cover… but I hate these photos. I hate the toning, I hate how predictable they are, I hate the social crop here (wtf?) and I super hate that Vogue couldn’t be bothered to hire a Black photographer,” McCarthy said on Twitter.
I adore Simone Biles and am thrilled she’s on this cover… but I hate these photos. I hate the toning, I hate how predictable they are, I hate the social crop here (wtf?) and I super hate that Vogue couldn’t be bothered to hire a Black photographer. https://t.co/az0gLugdzS
— Morrigan McCarthy (@MorriganMcC) July 9, 2020
The criticism continued on social media.
Simone Biles deserved better than Annie Leibovitz bad lighting. pic.twitter.com/I7SvmCmKJP
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) July 10, 2020
After all the Black talent jumping out with #VogueChallenge, Vogue couldn’t idk hire a Black photographer to shoot this cover of Simone Biles? https://t.co/6N5Oac56Su
— Polly Irungu (@pollyirungu) July 9, 2020
It’s not the first time a Vogue cover shot by Annie Leibovitz has caused controversy.
In 2008 the photographer shot a cover featuring basketball player LeBron James and model Gisele Bündchen which appeared to resemble a King Kong poster as part of the magazine’s annual Shape Issue (see below).
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What absolute BS from NYT pic editor. Bloody reverse racism !
So if a cover features a white athelete and a white photgrapher doesn’t get the gig will she crawl out of her little sanctimonious hole and and raise her voice? Whats colour got to do with it? Best person for the job, irresepective of race or colour. Whata makes here think a black photographer can capture better skin tones. It’s just her opinion and her desire for 3 seconds of headline which you gave her. For what reason you beleive these narrow shit shows are news worthy always surprises me. You looking to stir the pot also?