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Vogue's LeBron Cover Breaks Barriers ... But Not All of Them
March 14, 2008 12:45 PM
Rail-thin models, high-priced couture, two pounds worth of ads: that's generally what you expect from Vogue.
Not a hulking, screaming LeBron James dribbling a basketball.
The Cleveland Cavaliers' superstar graces the April 2008 cover of the magazine, clad in clothing and kicks from his own Nike line, beefy bicep slung around Gisele Bundchen. They're the bodies of Vogue's eighth annual shape issue.
"Because of the upcoming Olympics, we wanted to take a look at athletes, athletic prowess, and healthy bodies," said Vogue spokesperson Patrick O’Connell. "LeBron is 6’8, Gisele’s 5’11 -- they really say size and shape in a beautiful way."
LeBron's the first male athlete to grace the high-fashion mag's cover. He's only the third man to ever appear on the cover (apparently, Gisele looks good on the arm of Vogue's guys -- she posed with George Clooney in 2000. Richard Gere broke the estrogen barrier in 1992).
LeBron's also the first black man to land on Vogue's front page, but O'Connell said race had nothing to do with it.
"He’s an amazing person and an amazing athlete," he said. "And the only two other men who have been on the cover were there in a sort of zeitgeist moment. As a women's magazine, we rarely have men on the cover, period. "
So the basketball star has broken some barriers. But wouldn't it make sense for a women's magazine to feature a female athlete on its Olympic-centered shape issue? (How 'bout them Williams sisters?)
"They’re replete through the issue," O'Connell said. "One of our primary features is pairing models with athletes. Female issues are the center of the focus of the magazine. Obviously, we can’t put everyone on the cover."
Vogue does spotlight female athletes inside -- runner Allyson Felix, archer Jennifer Nichols and swimmer Kate Ziegler among them. And because it's the shape issue, O'Connell said it covers "all shapes and all sizes … from sizes 0 to 16."
But looking at the cover, Vogue's female ideal is clear -- lanky, leggy, linked to a hot guy, last name: Bundchen. So maybe the cover of the shape issue is exactly what you'd expect.
Sheila Marikar
March 14, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (11)
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Why the crazy face... You rarely see Labron make that jester on the court! Racial?? Angry Scary Black Man??
Posted by: Lawrence | Mar 14, 2008 2:59:00 PM
Why does he have to "coverboy"? You guys love the racial content eh? You are the worst excuse for a network.
Posted by: Carey | Mar 14, 2008 3:39:48 PM
Wow am I supposed to be impressed the he is the first black man on the cover...they still disrespected blacks because as he is posing with a white woman.So Vogue you still are a racist mag
Posted by: brat4life33 | Mar 14, 2008 3:58:06 PM
Was TIGER too busy?
Posted by: Sonny | Mar 14, 2008 5:02:53 PM
Is it wrong for a rich and successful woman to have a sugar baby?? It is an absolutely extramarital relationship, but more and more services come out on Internet focusing on this kind of relationship, such as S u g a r m om m a M e e t . c om
Posted by: tracy wong | Mar 15, 2008 1:20:29 PM
I'm not impressed... why not just superimpose the image onto the spire of the Empire State Building?? Or perhaps I'm being too sensitive??
Posted by: Alsy77 | Mar 17, 2008 7:34:37 AM
What is wrong with him being on the cover. He is a great athlete in his prime, why shouldnt he be on there. Whether it broke barriers or not, he's as good as any other person on Vogues cover. Any one who sees otherwise is hating and slightly ignorant.
Posted by: tee | Mar 17, 2008 8:42:20 PM
Did anyone notice the smile on her face? :)
Posted by: CV Engelhardt | Mar 19, 2008 2:57:14 PM
I liked the big monkey better!
Posted by: Pete | Mar 19, 2008 4:49:39 PM
IT WOULD BE NICE FOR A CHANGE IF SOME PEOPLE(LIKE SOME OF THE COMMENTORS)TAKE OFF OR CLEAN THEIR DIRTY GLASSES AND SEE THE BEAUTY OF THE ART ON THIS COVER.LeBRONS'EXPRESSION IS ONE OF SUPERIORITY IN RANK OF A GREATER AGE TO COME AND I CAN ALMOST HEAR HIS ROAR FROM THE DEPTHS OF A PLACE WHERE HE HAS LEARNED GREAT HUMILITY.THE WOMEN IS SIMPLY HAPPY. WHAT A GREAT COVER.IT SOLD ME JUST FINE.I DID NOT EVEN NOTICE THE PEOPLE OF COLOR.THANK-YOU FOR MAKING ME THINK ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL.
Posted by: 4UNMEGO2NEWS | Mar 20, 2008 1:53:08 AM
Wow, Lebron is huge. I think he is ultra sexy. He is mega fine, really fires me up. I mean really I don't even see the chick. They are intentionally posing that way. I guess for impact. Lebron and Gisele are having fun and getting "paid".
Posted by: starfire | Mar 20, 2008 2:18:51 AM
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