Is there something inherently hypocritical about the cover story in the new issue of W, which depicts a breast-feeding Angelina Jolie on its cover? The cover line accompanying the image promises exclusive "private photos," which apparently have been snapped by her baby daddy, Brad Pitt. Not surprisingly, the reaction to the photo has been mixed with some people lauding Brangelina for being open about breast feeding, something still considered taboo in our nation’s more puritanical circles, while others are crying foul that the "private" moments have been sold to the highest bidder and put on a national magazine cover — the inherent hypocrisy mentioned earlier.
I’m typically one to cry, "Sellout!" pretty early with stuff like this, but this particular case made me think twice. Not only does the beautiful, natural photo of mommy and baby help dispel the antiquated notion that breast feeding is anything to be ashamed of, it’s also a case of an extremely famous celebrity couple taking control of their own image and spinning it in a positive way. I first thought about this last summer, when Pitt and Jolie sold the first photos of themselves with their babies to People magazine and the British tabloid Hello! for $14 million and gave the money to charity. Why let some stranger/stalker cash in on your own "private moments" and plaster photos all over the Internet that you have no control over?
In the same way, Pitt and Jolie (who caused a stir once before by simply wearing a visible white nursing bra underneath her tank top on the cover of People after the birth of daughter Shiloh, now 2 years old) have now decided to share some tasteful, intimate photos of mommy breast-feeding her baby — and given their history of doing these shoots, it’s likely they will again donate the cash to a charitable cause. Not only does this allow them to promote the beauty and elegance of a mother breast-feeding her newborn child, it also helps feed the public’s hunger for images of celebrity "private" moments with a classy, tasteful alternative to all the crotch shots, nip slips, and WTF celebrity shots littering sites like Perez or TMZ.
So what of these "private" public photos, PopWatchers? Do you think Pitt and Jolie are hypocrites or simply deciding what candid moments to share? Do you think it’s a boost for breast feeding, or just a way to help promote Jolie’s new movie, Changeling?
More on Angelina Jolie:
Fall Movie Preview: Changeling
Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt have twins
Angelina Jolie: A candid Q&A with the Wanted star
I was on the fence when I read about it but actally the cover is really lovely. She looks gorgeous and that tiny little hand is so deliciously cute. Maybe I’m biased b/c I’m an Angie/Brad fan but I have to agree with Mike. They are taking control of their image and v. aware that the leech paps kill for this stuff & sometimes get it anyway without their permission so why not do it on their terms. Then you get the Halle’s of the famous world who don’t want to sell pic’s of the kid b/c they feel it’s nobody’s biz. But unless you are keeping the kids locked up and masked a la Michael Jackson, in this day & age the photos of celebrity children are everywhere. I don’t think either choice is wrong, whether you are putting it out there or keeping it private as long as u can, but I commend the Jolie-Pitts for taking a stance.
I’m on the fence here. On the one hand, I think it’s great to manage your own image rather than leaving it to the paparazzi to create an image for you. On the other hand, there’s something about a person displaying a private moment in such a public way that feels hypocritical. Although not a terrific example, it’s like the star who pleads for privacy while mugging for the camera. How about you just be private and see how that works out for you?
Hey, they have always been honest about who they are..i’m cool with the picture!
Hyprocritical. I am not a fan. So keep it in mind; in fact my opinion of Brad Pitt went down due to his involvement with Angelina. I just think it’s a way to make money. And I am not even sure this chunk of cash will go to charity. Just seems hyprocritical. They were all about staying out of the limelight; and now they are everywhere. Oh, wait. Angelina has a movie to promote even though it will probably bomb because no one cares about her drama’s. Only her flashy, skin bearing action movies. I feel for those kids once they grow up and maybe we’ll get a mother of a tell-all book. But then I am not fan. And that particular picture should have been left off the cover.
I think it’s a beautiful shot, and not inappropriate at all. There’s no nudity to speak of, at least not more than the standard amount of skin the average starlet shows on such covers, so I don’t really see what the big deal is.
Quite frankly, I think it’s about none of the things mentioned. Since Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston broke up, Angelina Jolie has been portrayed as a vicious man stealer, which, in the end, affects her image as a mother. Plus, many people believe her adoptions and actions are just marketing strategy. The W cover is a great way they found to change all that: now what we have is the image of a typical mother taking care of her babies. They went as far as the “sucker mom” image to balance the other image – “crazy woman with lots of tattoos, bad movies and exes”. In the end, we are lead to believe she is somewhere in between.
There is a difference between being stalked by psycho paparrazzi and chosing a reputable magazine for photos people want to see. The millions are donated to world organizations. She and Brad promote unity, health and class. She has grown considerably throughout the years…as we all have hopefully. Unfortunately, the press continues rehashing her youth as though she’s never matured. Have a kid and realize how much one must grow and mature to do it properly. She was beautiful 2 years ago and she is absolutely beautiful on this cover now.
This picture is beautiful. Tastefully done, and since the money will most likely go to charity, Good for them! and those who are benefitted by their goodwill! If I were a celebrity and had the chance to contribute to the world in such a grand way, why not use the media in such a way.
This is an absolutely beautiful picture and as a mother who breasfed both of her girls, I am excited to see it out in the open where it should be. Breastfeeding should be seen as natural and wonderful and not something that should be hidden. I applaud W and Angelina and Brad for having this picture on the cover for all to see.
It’s lovely, and anyone who doesn’t think so is bringing their own agenda to the critique.
The picture is beautiful!!
This photo is beautiful. It reminds me of a similarly staged Picasso sketch. However, it seems like it deserves a more respectful venue than a magazine cover — a gallery, maybe, or just a beautiful frame in the family’s home.
As far as right or wrong, it’s their choice, and I don’t think they’re hurting anyone, so let them be.
I think it’s a beautiful picture and, as a mother who breastfed, I say “Way to go” on putting it out there. On the other hand, I can’t help looking at it thinking Brad and Angelina are so annoying. I wish I could explain that feeling better, but I can’t. Just annoying. Everywhere. Sharing everything. Ugh.
Great picture. I’m pretty middle of the road on the whole “Brangelina” juggernaut; don’t love ‘em, don’t hate ‘em. Ironic, but I think she actually looks less sexy, here with most of a breast exposed, than many of her more stagy photos that just exude sex while (technically, at least) largely covered. Breast feeding is a great, maternal thing to be able to do, or to want to do, and good for her (and Brad) for being willing to unselfconsciously display it. Angelina looks more like a happy parent, and less like a glamazon in the photo, and I mean that as a compliment. I hope that anyone who thinks the picture is a travesty, shocking, a display of the corruption of American values, etc. etc. simply has the good sense to just turn away and not look at it rather than condemn both her and W Magazine showing, quite tastefully, in my opinion, a natural human process that doesn’t need to be hidden away.
Lucky little breast-feeding kid