Controversies and photoshoots go hand in hand. What is right for one person is always wrong for the other. Sometimes the issues are grave while the other times they are more of a gossip. But one thing is for sure that whatever happens, these issues surely help in the sales and sometimes even boost up the career of the stars. Below are some of the most talked about controversies that are remembered till date.
Vanity Fair, August 1991: Demi Moore, Pregnant and Nude Controversy
This one was the biggest and a very long lasting controversy created by Annie Leibovitz. The Vanity Fair magazine’s August 1991 issue featured Demi Moore on it cover, pregnant and nude. It gained a lot of criticism and many of the stores refused to sell the magazine or they sold it in a brown paper bag. It was indeed a very shameful act that time. But whatever happened this controversy surely gave Demi Moore’s career an instant appraisal.
Gear, March 2000: Jessica Biel Semi-Nude Photoshoot Controversy
During the fourth season of 7th Heaven, which Biel didn’t wanted to do, she posed semi-nude for the cover of Gear magazine. Fans and producers of the show were outraged, and the shoot sparked a lot of controversy, as Biel was still a minor at the time. It is now, years later that Beil regrets the Photoshoot and believes the she lost a lot of fan following because of it. Well, say whatever, she looked hot and the magazine must have made a good fortune.
Vanity Fair, March 2006: Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson Controversy
The then very breath-taking beauties of Hollywood, Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson got into a much talked about photoshoot in the Vanity Fair’s March issue. Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, these images gained a lot of criticism when designer Tom Ford was pictured along with the naked ladies on the cover. Earlier Rachel McAdams was also supposed to be there, but she backed out when she knew the whole picture. Well, Vanity Fair has indeed been the center of most of the controversies.
L’Oreal Ads, 2008: Beyonce’s Lightened Skin Tone Controversy
There was a lot of controversy surrounding Beyonce’s appearance in some of her L’Oreal ads. Particularly in the one where she’s promoting L’Oreal Feria hair color where her skin tone appears much lighter than usual. It caused quite an outrage among many people who accused L’Oreal for faking. But the company kept denying these claims. Well, it is pretty obvious that she was looking fairer or maybe it was just the light effects! Who knows? All we know is that L’Oreal gained a lot of popularity for their products.
Vogue, April 2008: King Kong Photoshoot
This photoshoot of model Gisele Bundchen and sports star Lebron James gained a lot of criticism as it was considered to be a racist portrayal of “King Kong”. The main accusation was that these images were portraying black males as threatening. People not only took these photos as racist, but also very sexist, because they glamorized the idea of women as victims. Whatever the case maybe, it was another of Annie Leibovitz’s work that became a hot-shot controversy that time.
Vanity Fair, June 2008: Miley Cyrus Nude Pictures Controversy
This was another very controversial photoshoot by Annie Leibovitz. Disney girl, Miley Cyrus posed in nearly nude pictures for the magazine. Keeping the age factor of Cyrus in mind it created a lot of controversy among the people. Later Miley apologized to her fans by saying that she wanted the images to be artistic and didn’t think that they would turn out in this way. Well, Miley has always been a queen of controversies since then.
Vibe, October 2008:Ciara Nude Picture Photoshoot Controversy
Ciara herself created a scandal out of it and it was she who said that the picture was misleading. She insisted that she was wearing an underwear while the magazine portrayed it as if she was completely naked. Whereas, magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith said that Ciara was indeed fully naked for the shoot, and the whole thing was her idea. Well, whoever was speaking the truth, all I know is that it was indeed a hot controversy that really helped in boosting the magazine sales that time.
Vanity Fair, December 2008: Kate Winslet Fur Controversy
This one was really intense, Kate Winslet, a devoted animal rights activist was in a controversy for using real fur in the Vanity Fair’s December 2008 photoshoot. PETA contacted the actress, who in the past has spoken out against wearing fur to which Winslet said that she believed the fur was faux. Later the magazine apologized by saying that the fur was indeed real and they thought that the actress knew about it. Well, whatever, this issue surely gave a boost to the magazine sales.
Girls Generation, June 2009: Nazi get-up Photoshoot Controversy
The Girls Generation got a lot of criticism for their insensitive use of images that was copied from Nazi and Kamikaze insignia to a very great extent. It all started when people noticed that the fighter plane on their new album cover looked exactly the same as the A6M Zero-Sen aircrafts that were introduced during World War II and there wore even the same uniforms. They drew a lot of bad words from the pro-Nazis and finally the covers had to be redone. Well, say whatever but this gained a worldwide popularity to these Korean models.
French Vogue, October 2009: Blackface Controversy
This one is quite recent in which Vogue is yet again accused of racism. Dutch model Lara Stone is shown in blackface for the October issue of the magazine . Photographer Steven Klein gained a lot of criticism for these images in with Stone is covered in dark brown make-up from head to toe. It created a wave of anger amongst the people who are against racism. Well, this is indeed a grave issue and I don’t find reason for painting a white model black, if they needed they could have hired a darker tone lady.
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