"Backlash Ensues as Vogue's Usher Cover Sparks Debate: Fans Insist 'He Deserves His Own Cover'"

 

Usher has landed his first cover on Vogue, generating excitement ahead of his Super Bowl 58 halftime show presented by Apple Music. The R&B sensation is set to dazzle the stage at Allegiant Stadium near Las Vegas on Feb. 11. However, Vogue is now facing criticism for a cover that prominently features Usher alongside '90s supermodel Carolyn Murphy and a youth football team.

The Vogue cover story, shedding light on Usher's upcoming album and his lead-up to the halftime show, has drawn attention for its heavy emphasis on Murphy in the accompanying photos. Social media users have expressed their discontent with Vogue's editorial choices, questioning why a solo cover for Usher wasn't deemed sufficient.

On Instagram and Twitter, users pointed out the contrast between Usher's cover and that of Harry Styles, a white artist who received a solo cover. The presence of Murphy, who is also white, alongside Usher has left some perplexed, with social media commentary highlighting the disparity in treatment.

Criticism has surfaced, questioning the relevance of Carolyn Murphy to Usher and his accomplished career. Vogue's decision to pair Usher with a model on the cover has been met with confusion and disappointment from some quarters.

It's noteworthy that Usher's Vogue cover was captured by photographer Campbell Addy, who is Black, adding another layer to the ongoing discourse.

This isn't the first instance of Vogue facing backlash for its covers featuring Black celebrities. The controversy surrounding the depiction of NBA legend LeBron James on the cover alongside supermodel Gisele Bündchen in 2008 resurfaced in the discussions. Some critics raised concerns about racial undertones, invoking harmful stereotypes about Black male aggression.

Vogue's history includes instances where covers featuring Black stars have sparked controversy. In the case of Vice President Kamala Harris, her covers were shot by a Black photographer, Tyler Mitchell, but still faced scrutiny for potential skin-lightening effects, leading to a public response from Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

As for Carolyn Murphy, she is recognized as an actress and one of the leading supermodels from the 1990s. Discovered at the age of 16, the Florida native has maintained her presence in the fashion industry, with recent features in Marie Claire France and Vanity Fair Italia, among others.

In essence, Usher's groundbreaking Vogue cover has stirred conversations about representation and editorial choices, continuing a broader dialogue around diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry.