CeleBeauty Watch: Simone Biles Covers the August 2020 Vogue

Simone Biles, the number one gymnast in the world covers the Vogue August 2020 issue, which is an honor. However, Vogue has received much deserved backlash regarding hiring a white photographer, Annie Leibovitz for Biles’ cover shoot. Apparently the #VOGUECHALLANGE  was all talk and no walk with Vogue.

Black photographers and other prominent Black media professionals have blasted the photos of Biles. Black female photographer Polly Irungu @PollyIrungu  said, “After all the Black talent jumping out with #VogueChallenge, Vogue couldn’t idk hire a Black photographer to shoot this cover of Simone Biles?” Others slam Vogue for the horrific lighting.

A consensus (primarily white) observers opine that Leibovitz’s presentation here is intentional, a nod to the darkness of Biles story regarding the abuse of Dr. Nassar. We strongly disagree. Covers sell. This Vogue Cover dismally fails. Simone Biles deserves better.

Photos courtesy of Vogue.com

Photographed by Annie Leibovitz