http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35286138/ns/entertainment-gossip/
Why no actresses of color on VF cover?
By Courtney Hazlett
The Scoop
msnbc.com
updated 8:59 p.m. ET, Sun., Feb. 7, 2010
Nine young actresses are featured on the latest cover of Vanity Fair.
The magazine claims that they’re all part of the new wave of
Hollywood, but critics also say the actresses have another common
trait: not one of them is a person of color.
“Access Hollywood’s” Shaun Robinson took note of the cover, which
features Kristen Stewart, Abby Cornish and Anna Kendrick among the
nine actresses, and blogged about her concerns.
“Where was Zoe Saldana, of ‘Avatar’ and ‘Star Trek?’ Or Gabourey
Sidibe, the Oscar-nominated actress from ‘Precious?’" Robinson wrote.
“This year, we’re going to see our most diverse Oscars red carpet in
years. We should see that respected on television and in our magazine
covers.”
Point taken, but according to reps for Vanity Fair, the process of
choosing who is included in the Hollywood issue is one that involves
careful consideration about an actress’ body of work, which might
disqualify newcomer Sidibe, for example.
The magazine says that there are other practical considerations, too,
such as which actresses are able to physically appear for the photo
shoot, which takes place in a single day.
Although Vanity Fair had no comment regarding actresses of color who
were approached but had a scheduling conflict that prevented their
inclusion, the magazine did issue this statement.
“Deciding who will appear on the Hollywood Issue cover — and within
the issue itself — is a long process, and one we take seriously,” said
a representative for Vanity Fair. “For the young actresses on the
cover, both films coming out this year and past work were taken into
consideration, as were schedules and availability, since we had to
shoot all nine actresses in a single day.” |
