Yesterday morning I saw the new “Hollywood Issue” of Vanity Fair magazine. Well, technically it was just the cover, but the pictures spoke more to me than any article could. My initial thought was ‘Wow, all the ladies look really nice.’ Then I played a mind game with myself to see if I knew what movie or series these girls came from, as I often consider myself a Pop Culture enthusiast. I was quite disappointed in myself once my mental scoreboard read that I had lost this one-on-one game.
So I re-read the title and then it hit me. This cover is pretty nude in color. I immediately wanted to know who the photographer was and who styled the shoot, as all the girls looked so innocent and collegiate prep. And just as my thoughts wondered into a fashion realm, I walked straight into the pink elephant in the room. WHERE ARE THE BLACK AND LATINA ACTRESSES?
So I read the cover line one more time and tried to find meaning in the title, “A New Hollywood”. All I could think of was this isn’t a “New Hollywood” but in fact the “Same Hollywood.” I don’t negate the talent or beauty of the women that were profiled but I do challenge the direction or subliminal message that Vanity Fair has chosen to send to the masses.
Talent should be the ‘New Hollywood’ and talent is blind to race, size and any other subcategory people use as a medium to gauge success or potential success! Since I was not pleased with VF’s choices, I ask you all who do you feel will change the face of Hollywood in the next ten years.
So as most of you know with issue stirred up alot of controversy. Many thought there was no issue and others thought that there was cause for great alarm. Through many discussions I have heard many different stances. But I never heard from the actresses that WE felt were left off. Until now, read what Gabourey Sidibe said as she sat down with Access Hollywood:
‘At first I thought, ‘Hmm, should I be there?’ she told Access Hollywood. ‘Then I very quickly got over it. I think if I were a part of that shoot I would have felt a little left out anyway.’
She is gracious and self-effacing, and probably gives a great Oscar acceptance speech.
‘I would have felt a little like… whether or not I should have been there,’ she said. ‘[It] doesn’t matter, because I wasn’t on it and I’m excited to be mentioned anywhere, and it doesn’t matter to me where I’m not mentioned.’
Way to take the high road, What do you think of Gabbies response?
Happy Wednesday
‘Forever in Fashion’
Piper
