Vanity Fair October 2015 : Mark Zuckerberg by Annie Leibovitz

[Benn98]

I know attractiveness is subjective, but I don't think he's any worse looking than Chelsea Clinton or Gabourey Sidibe. Heck, why not throw SJP and Michelle Obama in there as well. I like or love all of those women and would gladly read a feature on each of them. I admire that they've accomplished things in a culture where physical beauty in a woman in ascribed inordinate value. Each of them have been featured on major magazine covers (some of them time and time again) discussed in these forums. I don't think such a majority of posters were ever so quick to cut them down for their looks as has happened in this case. Maybe they did, and I just didn't notice.

While I agree with most of your posts, the highlighted bit stuck out in this one. Yes, these women have been featured on magazine covers, but only after they've been styled, moulded and photoshopped to oblivion in order to conform to an image which the general public would regard as passable. Chelsea Clinton looked like just another fashion plate actress on Elle, and Sidibe's two covers for both Elle and V was famously cropped, because at a stretch they could deal with her face, but not her shape. Even a beautiful woman like Marissa Mayer was made to look like, if not better, than a supermodel when Vogue did a feature on her. So no, nobody would cut them down for their looks when it's been so tremendously 'tones down'.
I can almost assure you that if Vanity Fair had to cover these women, they would've applied exactly the same process.

On a lighter note, why was Michelle Obama bracketed with those women? I'm not an ardent follower, but come on, lol.

 

[Phuel]

^^^ I agree with KING-- Michelle Obama is not this attractive and mighty woman the media and the general American public claims her to be. I don't think she's horribly unattractive either, but she's rather average-looking at best. I'll give her the credit of being the only First Lady in a very long time who seems to be an advocate of fitness-- something that could inspire the average American to get off their as*es.

Anyway, I despise Annie's photography, but I suppose she's a brand-- much like Mario is that's still relevant to the general public that subscribes to these mainstream publications.

Political and social status aside, I'm just glad at least that unlike GQ, Esquire and all those manly-man publication, Marc isn't styled too much like some nerdy but fashionable caricature; you know-- he's smart so let's have him holding a globe or an abacus while styled in Armani..., like all the footballers have to hold a pigskin and all the comedians have to wear a clown nose or dress like Slave Girl Princess Leia. The image looks weirdly photoshopped, but at least he's allowed to look relaxed and himself, JC Penny haircut and all.

 

[GlamorousBoy]

I was hoping that somebody just could force him to wear something decent on the magazine cover...