There has been a bit of dust kicked up over this month's Vanity Fair cover. It's no Suri Cruise debut, but there was some controversy over the cover. Yesterday, Fishbowl reported that the reported Borat cover would not be gracing VF — Graydon Carter decided to go with someone who just hasn't been on enough covers quite yet. The lovely George Clooney.
In fact, Borat was not only snubbed for the issue's cover, it appears any would-be feature on the actor and character was cut entirely.
The only mention Borat gets is in Michael Wolff's column on anti-semitism, which, as Wolff points out, has been characterized in the New York Times as "the most risky of social toxins."
But, that's not the only surprise! As the cover touts, the acclaimed Vanity Fair photographer Annie Leibovitz "Does Demi Moore." We were thinking, "ooh, Leibovitz snaps of Demi. Nice!" Wrong.
As Borat would probably say about the actual photo "that's, eh, not so nice." At least we give you a jump and give you heads up. It is terrifying. (Give yourself at least 20 minutes to digest your breakfast before looking.)
Please don't say we didn't warn you. Return the favor: this is one issue of Vanity Fair you may not want to leave lying around when people come over for tea parties.
Editorial Director
I have 3 things to say:
1. Finally, Annie took a realistic picture and not some cleaned up and glamorized "artistic" shot.
2. Hate to tell everyone who has never been pregnant or has not had a pregnant wife, but this is what pregnant women REALLY look like.
3. What makes Annie Lebowitz think that she's important enough for us to want to see her like this? I mean, really, no offense, Anne, we don't need to see you pregnant.
we should clarify that it's not so much the pregnancy that's disturbing … we could just live without the uncovered boobs and pubes.
is that susan sontag's baby?
this, my dear gentle reader, is what transpires when a 10,000 pound overinflatedego sits atop its sister the 10 ounce filet of reality.. i shall henceforth suffer night terrors from this imagery..
What makes you think she's pregnant?
I'm astonished at these comments.
There is a power and a beauty and an eroticism in this photo that is simply breathtaking.
I don't have a problem with this photograph; I rather like it. Much creepier imagery on the internet than a pregnant nude.
Susan Sontag snapped the picture, which I find kinda ironic.
It is not the picture itself but the subject that makes it popular.The work of Annie is not a matter of her tec. but her subjects. She was at the right time at the right place…lots of luck, connections and a business mind that opened all the doors for her. I personally don't find her work interesting, but I guess editors do.
i think many of the comments here and completely unnecessary. this is a beautiful powerful photograph of an amazing photographer, my favorite as it so happens.
i love the image Annie, it's a beautiful piece of art, it's moving and inspiring. I pity those who say different, their creativity and appreciation for art is lacking!
After viewing the Annie Leibovitz profile on PBS's "American Masters" I have a question about her photographic technique: Annie is always shown to wear glasses to correct her eyesight and I would like to know does she ever need to adjust the focus of her photos to take this into account?
I just finished watching a PBS program in Columbus, Ohio this evening and had to look her up. As I had strolled thru a few sites I ran across this site. I was shocked to see the photo, I was not expecting it. Then I had to read the comments. I as a norm would not respond, but this moved me. This photo I would say is what Annie is about. a photographer capturing a moment of a life (hers) on film. "Good for you Annie" I can see why she has been so successful in her field. I wish only the best for her and all her endevers professional and in motherhood. I was told once I was not photogentic, she can take my photo any day.
I also found her PBS special well special .I have a deep respect for her as a woman and a great photographer. Some people just don't deal well with reality , as this photo is as real as it gets , it is of course not going to be liked by some.
Annie L is one of the most amazing photographers and i feel anyone who cant apprieciate the talent she has (even if its not your taste) must be blinkered. She is a fantastic photographer and the image is a strong powerful one.
Annie Leibovitz connects humanity. Her work connects cultures through time. Her photography has captured the most powerful images spanning cultures and time. I am infinitely fascinated by her and her work. Her life's work connects humanity. This picture is no exception. I am in awe.
It's not the question "Do we need to see this". It should be "What is she trying to do?"! If you can't look at a pregnant woman, pubes or "boobs", then DON'T (never mind the amount of porn with those contents…), if you don't understand what you're seeing, then shut the f*** up. The amount of artisticly uneducated people rating, hating and condeming art is just shocking to me. By the way - when did the word "art" become a bad word?
This picture doen't show a woman as an object (none of Annies pictures do that), and most are not used to that.