The LeBron James Vogue Cover

by Hanzky — Saturday, March 29th, 2008 at 12:31 pm

I was surprised when I received a copy of VOGUE April edition the other day. Look who is on the cover? a male, an African American male to be exact, and not a Hollywood movie star, but a basketball player, none other than LeBron James. He made history as the first African American man who graced the cover in the magazine’s 116-year history. He is also becoming the third man (joining Richard Gere and George Clooney), and the fourth African American ever appeared on the cover.

This edition is the Shape issue, so it’s only fitting that James is on the cover with Gisele, who is dating Tom Brody, New York Patriots star quarterback, the sports connection is definitely there. Gisele was wearing a simple Calvin Klein dress and the cover was shot by Annie Leibovitz.

I like the cover simply because I finally see someone other than Keira Knightly, Renee Zellwegger and other celebrities on the cover. But little did I know that this cover has stirred up some controversy and was even discussed in major newspapers like USA Today, Chicago Tribune, etc. Apparently, some people found it offensive that James is portrayed like he was angry, yelling and being aggressive by grabbing Gisele’s tiny waist. They feel that VOGUE had racial intentions and wanted to throw the stereotypes that people always associate with an African American male.

I really didn’t see it that way when I first looked at it, and I still don’t understand what the fuss is all about. LeBron is a basketball player, he is a beast on the court and that’s how he looks like when the game is on, he is just showing his emotion After all, this is a Shape issue, so I don’t expect him to be donning a suit looking all flamboyant like in a typical GQ cover.

Do you think the cover is offensive?

Twitter updates

@ketanserundeng @RifAriadhi @pinkcemplon my pleasure! :) # 2 hours ago

Yes, me wanna come n visit u also! :) RT @Nona_Manda: Another one is Amsterdam I think ;) # 7 hours ago

Pretty cupcakes from Emirates, each decorared with the new destination flags http://twitpic.com/2kj9iq # 8 hours ago

Just got back from a nice dinner with Emirates. They have new destinations,1 of them is to Madrid. Wish I could go now -A # 9 hours ago

Cheap Chic Mom says:

March 29, 2008 at 1:18 pm

I thought the scenario was about “Beauty and the Beast”, that’s why he looks so aggressive and wild looking while she looks like a natural beauty princess.
For me, I didn’t interpreted the aggressive pose as a negative intimidation though, I thought it’s much more unique that way considering they’re posing for the cover of Vogue. If they did it in any other way, people might’ve misunderstood it for a cover of a sport magazine or some kind which is definitely not the way to go.
Hey good publicity, bad publicity, is still a publicity. Good for Vogue.

penny lane says:

March 29, 2008 at 1:42 pm

Can’t agree more with the previous comment, it’s all a publicity still for Vogue.

Dressing Lebron in his ‘working’ suit is actually a great idea and really screams ‘shape’ issue, in fact I had to look twice to actually not be misled into believing that it isn’t a health mag. Wicked.

You just can’t go wrong with Leibovitz I guess. Not really my most favorite cover, but it sure deserves a ‘fresh take’ credit.

tinkerbell says:

March 29, 2008 at 4:38 pm

I don’t think it’s offensive, but then I am not of African descent either, so perhaps I see things differently. People should see this in a positive light, instead of negative.. it’s better for your health, LOL!

polkadot says:

March 29, 2008 at 6:41 pm

offensive dr mananya ya? hmm bingung gw! malah mnrt gw covernya unik banget ga pasaran!

jakartaninbxl says:

March 29, 2008 at 8:12 pm

I don’t think it’s offensive at all. Bagus kok.. kadang kadang african american dan caucasians yang takut dibilang diskriminasi againts blacks suka over acting gituh..
he doesn’t look mad or violent, jelas jelas sambil men dribble bola gitu lhoo.. kalo dia mukanya gitu sambil bawa clurit, nah itu baru deh boleh diprotes hahahha

rica says:

March 29, 2008 at 9:08 pm

it’s just another cover page (for me). Peace.

*bunga_jeruk* says:

March 29, 2008 at 11:18 pm

I think what the photographer wanted to show from the picture is LeBron`s vivid zest and passion towards his favourite game, which is basketball (that`s why he was pictured dribbling a basketball, not like he`s just standing there grabbing a lovely woman hip). I personally think it is so –at the moment-, that the timing is just Perfecto! As for Gisselle, I think she was there to somewhat *balance* LeBron`s passion (mimic), and might be as a hint that Vogue is still a fashion bible, no matter what edition it is. Think of this, Gisselle smiled so adorable in the picture, I think it kind of tells us that `any lovely women would fall for a passionate man like this hehe..` All in all, I think the picture is beautiful, refreshing and genius.

But I understand (as a minor myself), that somewhat, *SOME* people cannot hold the negative thinking from pouring out, because terrible things that had happened (and maybe is still happening..we know that USA is not free from racism, afterall)..you know, they just don’t want to believe anymore..

Lena says:

March 30, 2008 at 10:12 am

Curious about the other headlines on the cover–looks headlines cosmo would have, with the ‘dressing for every size’ and the gossipy top models+athletes…

Durian says:

March 30, 2008 at 12:54 pm

I think its unique
I never seen a magazine cover like this before, So cheers to VOGUE.

HC says:

March 30, 2008 at 1:06 pm

Leibovitz has always been controversial right? She even upset the Queen if I remember correctly. James does look aggressive, and Giselle does look less in control with her losing her balance and arms flailing around, which further exaggerates the contrast in proportion of the two ‘healthy shapes’. Offensive? If anything it looks sexy, without being overtly sexual.

shil says:

March 30, 2008 at 5:33 pm

gwe rasa covernya malah keren dan berenergi..kayaknya ada smangat dari cover itu…
[yah mungkin karena gwe bukan african-american yah..
jadi mikirnya beda!!]

baglady says:

March 30, 2008 at 7:57 pm

gmn mao offesinve.. wong si gisele aja senyum gitu.. but maybe African American think otherwise..

gwen says:

March 30, 2008 at 8:58 pm

annie leibovitz, the best fashion photographer.. sexy picture !

artsygal says:

March 30, 2008 at 11:37 pm

I saw the sneak peak of the photo shoot. They seemed to have fun and respect each other. Hmmmh..wondering what is so offensive about it?
He’s a basket ball player after all. Don’t they all always make that face?

Tsha says:

March 31, 2008 at 9:26 am

Definitely not. i think thats how it supposed to be pictured. i mean,please, LeBron James is a basketball player, the way he presented in the cover is totally just like him. yah..bener bener LeBron James-The Basketball player. if he was dressed like in a formal attire, then ppl will get confused..right?..and im so happy that they put LeBron on the cover!

putri_bramantyo says:

April 1, 2008 at 2:21 pm

i don’t see anything offensive about the cover, it makes the magazine look quite “relaxed”, plus Vogue pictured LeBron the way he is, The Basketball player, that’s that, if vogue made him to wear suit, it’s just not edgy, and it wouldn’t make any difference to other mags. Love it!

belleofamherst says:

April 3, 2008 at 9:48 am

he is a basket ball player. thats how they all look like when the game is on. i think the real offense is that vogue never bothered to display african american celebrities/models/whatever, even with all their achievements and good looks. i mean, come on, anyone who’s not certifiably blind can see that halle berry is at least 10 times prettier than renee z. oy, vogue, talk about thinly veiled racism.

Hanzky says:

April 3, 2008 at 1:13 pm

Thank you for all of the comments everyone…nggak ada yang nganggep cover nya offensive kan berarti, besides Gisele looks happy there, kecuali kalo dia nya keliatan ketakutan/annoyed, baru deh ada yang aneh.

Agree with belleofamherst, I’ll vote for a Halle Berry cover than Renee ANYTIME!

hans permadi says:

May 14, 2008 at 8:32 am

I personally find the cover very amusing. Far away from being called offensive to certain human race. Put it lightly, it has *similarities* with the king-kong movie. Where the beast and the beautiful share the same personal respect and protect each other. A perfect balance of life when all the opposites complete each other. That’s the spirit of life goes.