After scoring a Golden Globe, a SAG award, a BAFTA, and almost assuredly, an Oscar for her scene-stealing performance in Dreamgirls, what else is there for Jennifer Hudson to win? Why, a Vogue cover, of course. The American Idol also-ran is not only the fashion glossy’s first full-figured cover gal, but only its third African-American — for Vogue’s power issue, no less. (Interesting that the mag should hit the stands at the same time as Dreamgirls‘ costar Beyoncé’s similarly historic Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover. Upstaged again by Hudson!)
So why does J.Hud, who has been rocking the red carpet in Vera Wang and others, look so… awkward? Decked out in a red satiny number, the actress is pictured leaning forward, mouth open, chin out and up, and her cleavage front and center. Given the significance of the shot, you’d think the magazine would have chosen a flattering angle, especially since celeb-shooter extraordinaire Annie Leibovitz was the photog for the gallery, and editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley has been been styling and promoting Hudson all season. (You can see more of the spread here.) All that fashion IQ, and this is the result? Meh.
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I don’t have a problem with the picture. But isn’t there a collaboration with the cover girl? Don’t cover girls also give the OK for the cover? There’s a similar picture of Whitney Houston http://i11.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/21/ba/ag_1_b.JPG
Maybe they were trying to get that same cover shot.
I think the dress is gorgeous, she has such good style taste, maybe because she went to modelling school.
She looks happy, confident and having fun. I think you’re reading way too much into this.
I also think that Jennifer looks great. The dress is very flattering and classic and she looks sexy and confident.
I think Hudson looks amazing. The picture illustrates her dynamic personality. Unlike many other Vogue cover shots (bland, serious-looking, ultra-skinny models-actresses ), this one jumps out at you. If you compare this with the covers of Nicole Kidman et al, you see Vogue highlights Hudson’s plus-size everything (beauty, personality, body) in a VERY flattering light. Also glad she looks a lot better than Beyonce in SI.
AMAZING!
J. Hud doesn’t look sloppy at all – better than Bouncy!
I think she looks fabulous.
This picture makes her body look stumpy and hides her neck. I still think she’s lovely, but they did not do this well.
This picture really seems to capture the essence of her beautiful personality.
I have to agree that she looks awkward. Her eyes and her “happy mouth” just doesn’t match – it looks forced and uncomfortable. But then, I would say that she lokks better than when she was on American Idol. So my verdict : everyone could have done a better job.
she’s the third? who were the other two?
No. The original poster is wrong.
This is a Fabulous cover – she looks glamourous. It’s not back-handed at all – it’s Fashion. What are you talking about??
Reminds me of the glammed-up shots Oprah does.
This is a very flattering angle for a larger woman.
Beyonce’ upstaged by Jennifer H. just because she’s on the cover of Vogue. Uh, I don’t think so.
Would you like to compare the sales of ANY edition of Vogue vs. the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit swimsuit issue?
Correction – there have been tons of Black females on the cover of vogue:
http://claycane.blogspot.com/2007/02/hudson-on-vogue.html
Correction, she said power issue. I am sure Michelle is more than aware of the many black woman who have graced the cover solo in the past.
J.Hud. will never upstage Beyonce. No matter what, do to the fact that Beyonce is better looking and way more famous, not to mention a lot thinner. I think Jennifer is great, he figure is great, her voice is great, etc, but it’s kind of like Britney and Christina…. Christina is a better singer, but Britney came out first. So did Beyonce.
OK GeeMoney, I’ll give you that Beyonce is more famous and JHud is just a youngster in this but Britney is better than Christina simply because she came out first? No no no. (BTW, both were Mouseketeers together, with JT and JC Chavez, fellow N’Sync-er in the early 90’s). Let Beyonce stand on her own merit–time will tell who’s the better songstress. We KNOW who’s the better actress…
Can we stop the Beyonce vs. Jen-Hud discussion NOW! it’s old.
Hud’s expression could have been a bit more subdued but that’s not really the kind of person she is. Also, the angle was clearly used to make her as slim as possible; this is still Vogue, after all. Lovely dress, though, and the picture of her at the piano in the spread is quite classy.
She’s beautiful, but the shot is strange with her mouth hanging open. She does look happy, though!
BTW, she’s a size 10! That’s not “plus sized”!
The SI Swimsuit issue is for MEN. Spring Vogue is for WOMEN and the FASHION INDUSTRY. To compare them is silly. Whichever one sells more, the implications of the Vogue cover are staggering.
Wait until Jennifer gets the Oscar–you ain’t seen nothing yet
Am I the only one in the world who thinks Dreamgirls really isn’t that great of a movie (aka it was kinda boring and overly long)? I gaurantee I’ll have forgotten it by next year when some other not-really-deserving actress is getting the best supporting Oscar.
The Departed on the other hand…I got the special edition DVD and look forward to watching it over and over for years to come.
I think the cover is gorgeous. It looks powerful as it should. Beyonce looks like eye-candy and Jhud has the world on a string. Beyonce should not have timed this the way she did, she ended up looking like a loser in comparison and very very jealous. She must have been preoccupied with upstaging the Oscars, in the end she comes off sad and vain.
People are so bitchy, and our idea of beauty has been warped beyond recognition. Would you be more satisfied with an anorexic model looking like she’s doped up on heroin rather than a confident, happy Jennifer Hudson? I think the cover is stunning.
ANNA WINTOUR ACTUALLY PUT SOMEONE WHO ISN’T A SIZE 0-2 ON THE COVER?!
*five minutes later from passing out*
Well, they couldn’t have picked a better person. J-Hud is the shizne! I hope she gets an Oscar. It would almost seem like a slap with a spiked Manolo at this point if she were to lose.
i think the shot is meant to be youthfull, sassy, vibrant, happy….all of the things we don’t think of when we see fat people. I think they are trying to change our perception of how fat people feel, and how miserable they are. i guess they did a pretty good job. She does look really happy…but still fat.
The SI Swimsuit issue may be for men, but it certainly has propelled numerous women into superstardom in the fashion industry. I’m sure you’ll remember who they all are: Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, Kathy Ireland, Paulina Porizkova, Elle Macpherson, Rachel Hunter, Heidi Klum, Carol Alt and Tyra Banks, to name a few.
Now THAT’s a power issue!
travisb: You’re a pig and an idiot. Jennifer Hudson isn’t fat.
I am so tired of this JHud Beyonce rivalry the media has made up. IN the long run, Beyonce is a far more talented artist.
Oliver, I second your comment. Travisb, you are a pig and an idiot. Jennifer looks radiant. I love her, and can’t wait for her to win the Oscar! She is a great American success story, and I love how she is sticking it to Simon Cowell and proving his arrogant a%& wrong! She is the first plus-sized woman to ever grace Vogue? That is an atrocity. I shouldn’t be surprised, though. Anna Wintour is an idiot!
People, please. Let me set the record straight: I’m a size 28! I am fat! Jennifer Hudson is NOT fat. She is actually of average size for a woman in the US. She’s probably a size 14, 16 at the most. She is GORGEOUS! The cover does not do her justice though I’m proud as heck of her for being on it. The expression looks to me like she was making a “You go girl” kind of comment. Comparing her to Beyonce’ is like apples and organges. They each have their own talent and use it well.
You go Jennifer! For the record: I may be large but I am CERTAINLY in charge…and a tigress where it counts the most! Just ask my husband!