Critics Slam April Vogue Cover

The April cover of Vogue featuring LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen is getting a lot of attention. And not the good kind. Critics are slamming the photo done by Annie Leibovitz for being racist.

People are saying LeBron is depicted as a savage animal. Wow. People have way too much time on their hands. He looks like he's pumped up during a game, not beast-like. And LeBron feels the same way.

He defended the photo by saying, "It wasn't a situation we're being rough or looking mean. Just showing a little emotion. We had a few looks, and that was the best one we had ... Everything my name is on is going to be criticized in a good way or bad way. Who cares what anyone says?"

What are your thoughts?

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Reader Comments

10:30PM 05/10/08 jld

I'm confused by what gant77 had to say. Since when is a German not white? Hooey that she was born in Brazil, so what? Let's see...where did her grandparents come from and why??? She nothing but a starved Teutonic mess. LeBron looks pretty awe inspiring though.

8:46PM 05/01/08 jen

I recently learned of this cover and was astonished to see it on the cover of Vogue. The image is definitely discriminatory and racist even if that was not the intent. Lebron is portrayed as the classic Jim Crow stereotypical black man who is considered beastly and animal like, and the fact that Giselle in the photograph appears to be running away does not help matters any. Also, to everyone who keeps saying that she is not white...it doesn't matter! Looking at her, you can't tell she is not white, and appearance, in cases like these, is all that counts.

9:01AM 04/18/08 mckenzie

i love this cover! gisele looks so bubbly and fun and lebron looks ready to play! i see nothing wrong with it at all and i think who ever slams this really needs a better hobby!!!

6:31PM 03/31/08 nd

I don't see what the big deal is. I'm black and my first thought was it's a weird pic because he's wearing sweats an she's in a silk gown. If you going for glamour put him in a Tux with the ball in one hand and Gisele in the other. If you're going sporty put both in sport clothes. Gisele has great hair and her hair looks awful in this pic. I think a fashion photographer would have done a better job with this cover.

4:21PM 03/29/08 Jerome

You are all wrong; Giselle looks nothing like King Kong! Seriously folks, it would only be racist if Lebron was dressed as a field hand and Giselle was Scarlett O'Hara! Get a life, or maybe just wait for the next stupid controversy!

9:38AM 03/29/08 Jenna

Sorry, but for me it definitely looks like King Kong and the white woman.

7:28PM 03/28/08 Bkf66

Isn't it weird how black woman over 45 are almost all over weight or obese. Lose some weight!

7:09PM 03/28/08 Lauren

I hate this cover but not because it's "racist". I do not believe it looks racist but more just awkward and not very glamorous or flattering like most Vogue covers are.

6:19PM 03/28/08 me in oc

ok the last 4 comments were very ignorant!

11:02AM 03/28/08 christopher

this is so racist...

10:51AM 03/28/08 b

I'm more offended by the caption, "...for every size from 0 to 16." Because above size 16 you don't deserve a perfect fit, right? (eyeroll)

9:40AM 03/28/08 naturally luscious.

AND ITS FUNNY THAT ONLY BLACK MEN ARE SEEN AS AGGRESSIVE ATHLETES. I THINK THAT MAY INSULT ALOT OF WHITE ATHLETES. (IM SURE REAL SPORTS FANS DONT THINK THAT..CONSIDERING THEY GET JUST AS ROWDY FROM THE STANDS)

9:37AM 03/28/08 naturally luscious.

WOW: want to be portrayed like that- they should ask the superstar basketball players, seen by hundreds of millions of fans, not to be ANIMALS on the court. Ask them not to beat their chests after scoring, or jump around in a circle taunting after a slam dunk, swing from the rim like a monkey, leap with their their mouth open and tongue out, scream at the other players in rage with spit flying out of their mouths, or punch opponents (and fans) in the face because they have no self control, or— should I go on? Who really is responsible for this stereotype? ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ALL OF THE ABOVE WAS VERY IGNORANT AND HIGHLEY STEROTYPICAL. BUT HEY. SOMEONE HAD TO BE THE ASS OF THE DAY. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ANYWHO WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS I THOUGHT... WOW. WHY ARE THEY ON THE SAME COVER? I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AN ODD PIC. IT HAS SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. BUT ALL IN ALL ..ITS JUST A REALLY HORRIBLE PICTURE THAT CAUSES U TO OVER ANALYZE BUT U CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE HELL THE MESSAGE WAS.

6:40AM 03/28/08 cathy

Honestly, people should get a life. How is this racist??? Its just criticism for criticism's sake.

5:52AM 03/28/08 STFUalready

It is a stereotype...but we didn't create it. If the black community doesn't want to be portrayed like that- they should ask the superstar basketball players, seen by hundreds of millions of fans, not to be ANIMALS on the court. Ask them not to beat their chests after scoring, or jump around in a circle taunting after a slam dunk, swing from the rim like a monkey, leap with their their mouth open and tongue out, scream at the other players in rage with spit flying out of their mouths, or punch opponents (and fans) in the face because they have no self control, or— should I go on? Who really is responsible for this stereotype? These are all issues independent of race that can be changed with some EFFORT. Why is it not being done? Why will they not change to better themselves? Why create these issues and cry about it later? You won't see Steve Nash portrayed like Lebron James on the cover, and it's not because he's white. But somehow it's the white man's fault. Racism will only go away when we forget its meaning and just live our lives. Being reminded and accused of it everyday is only strengthening and encouraging its place.

4:40AM 03/28/08 Patricia

It's difinetly about race. All Black NBA players have white girls on their arms. That's the real world.

4:11AM 03/28/08 Zip

In this country, they try to claim that Latins are white...ignoring the fact that, they...Latins, are a mix of Native North American Indians, Black Africans and Spanish People from Europe...who BTW, have African blood by way of the Moors...a West African Tribe that invaded European countries including Spain and Italy, etc., and stayed there for over 150 years...or 7 and a half generations!!! Generations being measured by 20 years each!!!

0:53AM 03/28/08 gant77

Ok here it is. Black men and women during the time of slavery were depicted as being NON-HUMAN and animal like. Studies were even done to prove that! I clearly see what the issue is in regards to how LeBron looks in the photo. However knowing that Giselle is not white, I myself never saw the issue of black man/white woman, but i completely understand the argument. Giselle is Brazilian by the way:)

10:04PM 03/27/08 me in oc

I DIDN'T WANNA COMMENT BUT U JUST HAVE TO.... HOW IN THE HELL DID RACISM COME UP IN THIS PIC? IT'S BAD,THAT'S IT...NO HIDDEN MESSAGES PEOPLE RELAX!!

10:03PM 03/27/08 Chloe

For you morons who have not a clue about symbolism, let me break it down. The photo may not have been meant to look racist, but it does. We don't think of it that way, but subconsciously, it is depicting an angry black man and a defenseless white woman. Look at his anger and her innocence. It looks like she's trying to run away...look at her feet. And he's got her by the waist. If she wanted to, Lebowitz would have the two positioned differently. Plus, I'm sure there were a plethora of other pictures available. Why, do you think, they picked this particular one? It couldn't have been the best one of the bunch. Think about it... This photo is no accident, people.

6:51PM 03/27/08 Tyra

LMAO....How in Heavens names did they think it up...Racist??? LMAO...It's just a horrible shot in general. Pity it's Leibovitz own, 'coz she's fairly brilliant with the lens. Wow, I was surprised to find out that that was Gisele. Lol I thought it was Fergie at first, LMAO. It is a bad pic; the workings of the lighting is harsh and makes the shot look off and Gisele kinda looks like Medusa with that hair. Jikes!!!!!

6:49PM 03/27/08 Ruby

I think it is an interesting picture. The word racist didn't even enter my mind when I saw it.

6:40PM 03/27/08 Karen from Ohio

I'm from the Cleveland area, 50 miles east, and King kong he is not...you go King James!!!!

5:57PM 03/27/08 retired

I like the picture. I don't think it is racist. He looks like he's playing basketball and she looks like she's running and they look good together in the picture.

5:02PM 03/27/08 jenn

im actually surprised the photographer Annie Leibovitz didnt come up with something more creatve. i mean her work is always so artistic and creative. this is just amateur

4:58PM 03/27/08 Tiffany

It is a bad pic. Giselle looks so awkward in it. It looks like they were photographed separately and photoshopped together. Racist? Not in the least. Dumb? Yeah, a little bit.

4:52PM 03/27/08 Zip

It is a terrible photo!!! Just a bad and awkwardly posed...one that any two bit hack could have shot this cover!!!

Although it was meant to stir racial taboos, its failure for me comes from a lack of creative innovation!!!