Vogue To Publish New Kamala Harris Cover Following Backlash

Vogue has announced that it will release a limited edition of its latest issue featuring a different photo of vice president-elect Kamala Harris after the original cover received backlash online

The media outlet made the announcement on its official Instagram page, saying that it will release a certain amount of copies with a fresh cover to commemorate the highly-anticipated Inauguration Day. The limited edition will be published after Harris becomes the first female politician to take oath as the vice president of the United States of America.

“In celebration of this historic moment, we will be publishing a limited number of special edition #InaugurationDay issues, featuring Vice President-elect @kamalaharris,” Vogue wrote on the image-sharing platform.

The announcement comes after social media slammed the publication for bad lighting and other issues in the original cover. Many claimed that the magazine lightened her skin. Her attire didn’t sit well with many people as well. She wore a classic black blazer, black pants, a white top and finished the look with a pair of Chuck Taylors.

The controversy became so big that Anna Wintour, Vogue’s global editorial director, was forced to come out with an explanation as to why the publication chose an informal photo for the cover. In a statement obtained by The New York Times, Wintour said that they did not intend to disrespect or discredit Harris of her accomplishments and her victory in the recent election.

“There was no formal agreement about what the choice of the cover would be. And when the two images arrived at Vogue, all of us felt very, very strongly that the less formal portrait of the Vice President-Elect really reflected the moment that we were living in which we are all in the midst — as we still are — of the most appalling pandemic that is taking lives by the minute,” Wintour said.

Apart from being the first female vp, Harris is also the first Black woman and first Asian-American woman to be sworn-in as the vice-presidential candidate of a major party in the United States. Her victory in the election also confirmed that she will be the highest-ranking woman ever to serve the government in the nation’s history.

Harris will take the oath as the 49th vice president of the U.S. on Wednesday, Jan. 20.