^ I don't believe that for one second! Also when it comes down to it, Vogue want's to be part of the "conversation", her own words! And if it means putting people she doesn't love on the cover, so be it. Anna Wintour is not, and has never been a beacon of integrity! But she is a savvy businesswoman.
It's like when she booked Jennifer Lopez for the cover of 1999 December issue. It was reported her arm had to be twisted to use Jennifer ( no idea why given how she uses far less prominent celebs these days, and back then La Lopez was at the height of her fame!), Mesiel shot her over THREE days. SO what happens? She hates all the cover options, and demands that Lopez does a re-shoot, to which Jennifer and her team, rightly, said NO WAY! Gisele ends up on the cover, and Wintour apparently said to never work with Lopez again. 7 years later, Harvey Weinstein, after much convincing gets Anna to give her the cover, twice!
And to be honest, when you are in her position, you can't hold grudges, i bet even Carter will use them on the cover, am certain of it! This is a cricus show now, and everyone is lined up!