US Vogue March 2007 : Jennifer Hudson by Annie Leibovitz

[kimair]

again, i don't think this is a rumour...
wwd isn't in the business of printing rumours, otherwise they wouldn't be considered the leader in fashion news...

do not clutter this thread with talk of past mags with black/african-american women on the cover...
there's a entire section on vintage magazines if someone has the oprah scans...

 

[kuba01]

do you guys ever think that Anna Wintour is kind of racist? I know there are black models, Asian models, etc., and I know that Anna tends to repeat models again and again and again...but it's always Liya in there, plus a bevy of Caucasian models. Like, every once in a while she'll throw in an Oluchi or a Lilliane Ferrarezi, but otherwise the magazine is filled with with white chicks.

I'm sorry I don't quite understand what you're saying. You contradict yourself in the above paragraph.

If you're saying that there isn't enough black models in US Vogue because Anna Wintour is racist, then I have to disagree.

Anna puts things in her magazine that are 'in' and 'fashionable' etc... Liya Kebede was very 'in' and therefore she was featured in US Vogue. The absence of black/asian models is not a conscious decision. It just so happens that there isn't a definitive black/asian model that embodies the look right now.

 

[eternitygoddess]

I don't think this is a good idea at all. In fact - its a TERRIBLE idea .

It's not because shes African-American or because shes fat - its because shes not 'high fashion'. Vogue is about HIGH FASHION. Jennifer Hudson is NOT high fashion.

Anna is loosing her mind. This is possibly the worst idea to come out of Vogue yet! And if they use Caroline Trentini one more time - I swear I will have a mental breakdown !

I TOTALLY agree. Jennifer Hudson has done nothing but be on American Idol and acted very well in ONE movie. At least Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Renee, SJP, Uma Thurman have multiple movies under their belt.

What's so HIGH FASHION or ELITE about Jennifer Hudson?

 

[kimberwyn]

do you guys ever think that Anna Wintour is kind of racist? I know there are black models, Asian models, etc., and I know that Anna tends to repeat models again and again and again...but it's always Liya in there, plus a bevy of Caucasian models. Like, every once in a while she'll throw in an Oluchi or a Lilliane Ferrarezi, but otherwise the magazine is filled with with white chicks. I do love Caroline Trentini and Isabeli (or does she count as Hispanic, being Brazilian), but it seems so...narrow.

It took J.Lo a while to get on the cover...and considering how fast Kirsten Dunst landed on it, plus other random Hollywood starlets too insignificant to remember, that really does say something. J.Lo, however tacky you might think her, had a big influence on fashion in a way (that Versace dress, sweat suits

), and was much more famous than a lot of the girls on Vogue.

I stopped following American Vogue because it became repetitive after a few years, but this is one of the things I've noticed.

I like the choice, if the rumours are true.

No, I wouldn't call her racist for this. I would just say she's a pretty good reflection of the fashion industry, not to mention the media as a whole.

What's so HIGH FASHION or ELITE about Jennifer Hudson?

Why don't one of you two naysayers tell us what ISN'T "high fashion" about Jenifer, since you protest it so much?

 

[bluedolphin]

it's soooo sad!!!!!! American Idol in vogue cover , she's not pretty good

 

[kimair]

What's so HIGH FASHION or ELITE about Jennifer Hudson?

what's high fashion and elite about britney spears, who has had a vogue cover?
and what was high fashion about renee zellweger before andre leon talley got a hold of her...

and let's think about the theme of the issue: it's the power issue...
natalie portman, angelina jolie, sandra bullock, julianne moore, gwyneth paltrow and penelope cruz have been on the cover since it was started in march 2001...

all have had an oscar or golden globe nomination and all were considered "on the rise" or following a wave of momentum into their cover...
this role has catapulted hudson into stardom, through acting and singing...

looking at the list of oscar nominees, no one else could have really appeared on this cover...
penelope cruz has already done the power cover...
judi dench, meryl streep, and helen mirren would probably be considered out of the demographic...
andriana barrazza and rinko are unknowns and abigail breslin is too young...
kate winslet is already in a position of power, having been nominated multiple times, and was also on a cover not long ago (she isn't in the same league as nicole, cate, sjp, etc. who can repeat covers without cause)...

i think it is a bold choice on anna's part, yes, and i too would rather see a model, but if i had my choice between another actress who has been on vogue before and a fresh, new choice, i'd choose jennifer...

 

[honeyisle]

Yaaaaaaaay!

 

[NickiLee]

what's high fashion and elite about britney spears, who has had a vogue cover?
and what was high fashion about renee zellweger before andre leon talley got a hold of her...

and let's think about the theme of the issue: it's the power issue...
natalie portman, angelina jolie, sandra bullock, julianne moore, gwyneth paltrow and penelope cruz have been on the cover since it was started in march 2001...

all have had an oscar or golden globe nomination and all were considered "on the rise" or following a wave of momentum into their cover...
this role has catapulted hudson into stardom, through acting and singing...

looking at the list of oscar nominees, no one else could have really appeared on this cover...
penelope cruz has already done the power cover...
judi dench, meryl streep, and helen mirren would probably be considered out of the demographic...
andriana barrazza and rinko are unknowns and abigail breslin is too young...
kate winslet is already in a position of power, having been nominated multiple times, and was also on a cover not long ago (she isn't in the same league as nicole, cate, sjp, etc. who can repeat covers without cause)...

i think it is a bold choice on anna's part, yes, and i too would rather see a model, but if i had my choice between another actress who has been on vogue before and a fresh, new choice, i'd choose jennifer...

God thank you so much for this intelligent post. Some people need to get their noses out of the air.

 

[honeyisle]

I don't think this is a good idea at all. In fact - its a TERRIBLE idea .

It's not because shes African-American or because shes fat - its because shes not 'high fashion'. Vogue is about HIGH FASHION. Jennifer Hudson is NOT high fashion.

Anna is loosing her mind. This is possibly the worst idea to come out of Vogue yet! And if they use Caroline Trentini one more time - I swear I will have a mental breakdown !

So let's see, who IS high fashion exactly? Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing, Kirsten Dunst...? COME ON! Jennifer Hudson is just as relevant as any of these women. Besides, VERY precious few in Hollywood are actually "high fashion" or have a unique sense of style. The majority all have stylists anyway .

 

[ShanaLucas]

I think people tend to forget -- or they don't know -- that Anna Wintour isn't the 'all-powerful' editor that people make her out to be. She still has to answer to a board of directors that could cut her loose at a moment's whim. Wintour has to be smart about who she places on the cover. If sales fall, she falls.

It's all about money. And what sells well here in the US these days are white celebrities. This isn't the UK, China, or Singapore. It's the US. Unfortunately, certain white celebrities sell here, much to the chagrin of we fashion purists. I read somewhere that the 2005 issue with Liya sold poorly. You can't blame Anna for that. It's the American public. I have yet to hear anything about Linda's August issue -- but you can bet your bottom euro or dollar that if sales figures weren't good, it will be another long wait before we see another model on the cover.

Funny enough, there was a time when a variety of skin shades were considered the norm on the US fashion scene. That was the late 80s and early 90s. Yasmin, Yasmine, Naomi, Beverly, Veronica and company. Funny enough there was a time when models ruled the covers, not celebrities. You can't blame Anna Wintour for the change. The change is a result of what the public wants to see.

Anna is taking a huge gamble on Jennifer Hudson and I applaud her for it. Do you want to see more blacks on the cover of US Vogue? Buy the issue. This is the best way to help change the public's perception on what's appropriate -- and marketable -- for a Vogue cover in the US.

 

[Faith Akiyama]

Anna is taking a huge gamble on Jennifer Hudson and I applaud her for it. Do you want to see more blacks on the cover of US Vogue? Buy the issue. This is the best way to help change the public's perception on what's appropriate -- and marketable -- for a Vogue cover in the US.

Hear hear!!

 

[kuba01]

and let's think about the theme of the issue: it's the power issue...natalie portman, angelina jolie, sandra bullock, julianne moore, gwyneth paltrow and penelope cruz have been on the cover since it was started in march 2001...

I'm sorry but Jennifer Hudson is absolutely NOT on the same plate as those actresses. To compare her talent with Natalie Portman - who has been an actress since childhood - is just a travesty.

Jennifer Hudson is an American Idol turned actress. She does not even compare to actresses who have been working all their lives.

all have had an oscar or golden globe nomination and all were considered "on the rise" or following a wave of momentum into their cover...
this role has catapulted hudson into stardom, through acting and singing...

THIS role. That is exactly the point. Hudson has only one role and people automatically perceive her as being a 'star'. I'm sorry but since when did acting in one movie constitute being 'catapulted into stardom'.

 

[ShanaLucas]

This is probably the most thought-provoking thread I've read here at tFS in ages...

 

[NickiLee]

If Jennifer Hudson was never on American Idol people in this thread wouldn't be throwing such a fit. She's on the cover because her story is pretty unbelievable and inspiring. She is this year's Cinderella.

 

[jadedomega]

I don't know why but I can't like this chick, not even during her American Idol day. ugh ugh to US Vogue.

 

[Faith Akiyama]

I'm sorry but Jennifer Hudson is absolutely NOT on the same plate as those actresses. To compare her talent with Natalie Portman - who has been an actress since childhood - is just a travesty.

Jennifer Hudson is an American Idol turned actress. She does not even compare to actresses who have been working all their lives.

...And yet, her one breakout performance have caused critics to drop their jaws and script some of the best thespian reviews in a while

Just give her a chance! She has already catapulted to the A-list, and whether that's a factor of luck, talent, or a combination of both, the least we can do is regard her apart from her "American Idol" persona. She has long since broken out of that role (The moment she was voted out prematurely -- and look where that has led her)!

 

[kuba01]

So let's see, who IS high fashion exactly? Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing, Kirsten Dunst...? COME ON! Jennifer Hudson is just as relevant as any of these women. Besides, VERY precious few in Hollywood are actually "high fashion" or have a unique sense of style. The majority all have stylists anyway .

I repeat - Jennifer Hudson is NOT and should NOT be compared to any actress who has worked incredibly hard (and long) to get where they are.

In terms of fashion - Kate Hudson is a style icon of some degree (she attends shows regularly in Paris ie. Dior and Dior Haute Couture). Kirsten Dunst is also a style icon in a small degree. She is interested in fashion. She obviously takes risks and experiments with her style.

To say that Hudson is just as relevant as any of those woman (in terms of fashion) is an absolute laughing matter. She may be talented and she may have been nominated for an oscar....but she is not high fashion and unfortunately this is what Vogue is about.

 

[NickiLee]

Maybe Vogue decided not to be so damn snotty for once.

 

[kuba01]

If Jennifer Hudson was never on American Idol people in this thread wouldn't be throwing such a fit. She's on the cover because her story is pretty unbelievable and inspiring. She is this year's Cinderella.

I think people are so excited about her cover because she is THE antithesis to the fashion world.

I also feel that because it is such a change, and because she is African-American - it is somewhat empowering. Afterall, fashion and Vogue should be about diversity. Hudson embodies diversity and uniqueness.

But in general, this woman is not the right choice - she does not constitute a fashion icon, let alone a dedicated fashion follower.

In terms of economics, Hudson is not very reconizable. She is fairly new to the acting world. People who aren't distinctive enough - will not sell magazines. It's simple. Thats why Paris Hilton is always on US weekly and Angelina Jolie is always in Vogue

 

[Faith Akiyama]

On a business level, Hudson is not very reconizable. She is fairly new to the acting world. People who aren't distinctive enough - will not sell magazines. It's simple. Thats why Paris Hilton is always on US weekly and Angelina Jolie is always in Vogue

Ironically as it may be, I'm sure that the AI audience will be flocking to the newsstands, anyway The AI forums have already exploded with this news...Her departure from the show is still one of the, if not THE, most shocking episodes in the history of AI's run. So yah, people will remember her without a doubt