I am so happy she is on the cover, but I feel as though these pictures were chosen out of spite. Why must the Black woman have her mouth open as if to suggest she is only good for singing, eating and other oral feats?

Why could these pictures not be more demure and refined? It looks as though they wanted to portray a caricature of what an “essential” Black woman is; open mouthed and gossiping. Jolly, jolly fry my chicken right. Have we reverted to Aunt Jemima’s early days b4 she ditched the headdress and threw on some pearls. And because she is Black (and everyone must know she is Black) the session had to be shot at the Apollo theatre- not that there is anything wrong with that- but in what context was this done.

She is on the cover, but she is imprisoned on the cover as well. So while this is a step forward for Black women and a body image obsessed racist industry such as fashion (and VOGUE)- it is also a step in the wrong direction.

BTW, what designer is she wearing cause I cannot immediately identify those clothes from any runway. Could that red dress be couture?

There have only been three Africana women to grace the cover of Vogue, and Jennifer Hudson makes number 3!!!!!!
I’m overjoyed for her! You go GIRL!!!!!!!!

Terrible pics, but great honor! She is prettier than that!

Vexxed–If you ever heard Jen on interviews when asked about what sound her CD will be, you would have known that in the movie that was EFFIE WHITE singing NOT JHUD herself..She says she loves to sing less LOUD, unlike EFFIE. So it will be more along the AI sound mixed with a little Jennifer style singing and some now R&B. She said it will sound nothing like Dreamgirls–don’t mean to be rude but people cannot seem to differ between character and reality. But you stick up for Bey when people say she sounded horrible in the movie and she was too lite. You’d be the first to say “oh that’s how Deena’s character is. Well the same can be said about JHud.

About the pictures, they could have chose better one’s. Im hoping this is not the final copy and they just want you to be surprised. But even if it is not, Im still buying it because it is a collectors item..

Congrats to Jen on making Vogue, but dang those pictures aren’t the least bit cute. What’s up with the one with her legs all spread apart?! Not ladylike.

yeah i dont really like these pictures but i love the fact that JHud is on the cover. I think the only other non-model Africaan-American on the cover of American Vogue has been Oprah. so YAY!

wow! i nearly screemed when i saw this and i dont mean her picture, but the fact that shes one of the only black women on the planet to have ever graced the covers of VOGUE! what an achievement. im sooo proud of her.

However, Vogue take the damn piss, these are not good pictures. theyr horrible. shes such a pretty girl and looks good everywhere else. why did they pick such ugly pictures of her. thats an injustice, she should demand a reshoot!

Wait a minute. Hold up stop the presses!

Are we sure she has the cover? VOGUE is only reporting that she is “featured in” the Spring Fashion Issue. I don’t work for CondeNasty, so I cannot personally verify.

At least she’s on the cover…

out of all the beautiful pic she took they choose to put that picture one the cover……….

Blame the fact that only a handful of AA women get the Vogue cover on this bytch, Anna Wintour:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Wintour

I love J. HUD. But it is safe to say in a non hating way that this picture is awful. Another ploy by the powers at be to portray a beautiful talented curvacious black woman in the worst light possible. This is blatant sabotage. Why must she perpetuate the “big Mouth” Aunt Jemima stereotypes of racism? It’s a mockery, and if you cant see that then you are lost:(
Revolutionary but Gangsta-

WOW…I didn’t think Anna Wintour would let JHud grace that cover…this is a big accomplishment for her. She’s the first Black singer to be on the cover of that magazine. So what if the picture isn’t the best, this is monumental for her. Congrats JHUD!!

not my FAVORITE pics but go jennifer!!!! this is a huge deal! she’s leap frogged over sooooo many people, to land on the cover of Vogue?!?! WOW!!! KUDOS JEN!!!!

Annie Leibovitz likes to capture a certain emotion and not necessary a look (she’s an artist). Jennifer could look better on the cover of Vogue. However, Jennifer does look “CONFIDENT”, “RADIANT” and “I’m having the last LAUGH” look and I’m sure that’s why Annie took this picture of Jennifer. It’s a political statement that Jennifer and Annie are making not to mention VOGUE.

- Alexandra

Annie Leibovitz likes to capture an emotion not with her photos (she’s an artist). Jennifer could look better on the cover of Vogue. However, she looks “Radiant”, “Confident”, and “having the Last LAUGH” in these photos. It’s a political statement for Annie, Jennifer and not to mention VOGUE. That’s POWER baby. Go Jennifer.

- Alexandra

as long as it is NOT beyonce….and did you hear beyonce didn’t want Jennifer in her post Grammy party….she can’t take that someone other than herself is getting all of the attention…at least Jennifer deserves it…

Why does it say on the cover “Our biggest spring issue ever!” on it? They could of said something else. They tryna be mean vicariously on that!

#87. My sentiments EXACTLY. PPL love to accuse others of reading too much into things, but this here is obvious sabotage.
I feel that bytch Wintour is trying to mock Black people.

that is a awlful cover!! I am not sure about it selling. why would beyonce be jealous or whatever u all are sugguesting. she has been on TONS of covers!!!!!!!!

My only question is…WHY is there a need to EVEN bring up Beyonce in this? Has Beyonce expressed some interest in being on the cover of Vogue? I mean, why do ya’ll care so much about what SHE is thinking or feeling if you hate her so much? I am no STAN or anything, but I just get sick of black people being ignorant. Both Beyonce AND J Hud are doing their thing in their own way. Why can’t we support both of these beautiful, hard-working black women? Why is it that not even Black America will allow more than one black female to shine? Is there some rule somewhere that states we can only have one hot black girl in the media at any given time? Gosh, give me a break people. Congratulations to Jennifer Hudson!

# 90: VOGUE is not making any political statement other than the fact that they know they need a new formula.

In the contemporary, online blogs and internet mediums inundate people with so much celebrity news and fashion. Hence, traditional print mediums such as VOGUE cannot keep up and they know it. By the time magazines come to print all the information is usually old news. So they have to find inventive and relatively new ways to make people go out and buy that magazine.

Throwing in a non-traditional face is always an easy way to dust off your laurels. In essence, they needed JHud as much as she needed them. However, the political statement stops there. They are still racist- they do not know about or care about Black people (save for Andre Leon T. and few others, but that is complicated in and of itself). Some things never change.

OYSTER…It becomes even more evident every time I see Jennifer that she could use a little softening up. She needs to tone it down a notch or two and keep her hands to her sides when she speaks. Also, what does Beyonce working hard have to do with a VOGUE cover? It is just a cover a magazine. It isn’t an Oscar. BTW, Hollywood is always looking for a “fresh face”. This is nothing new. Next year we’ll be talking about someone else-same time, same place.

FANFAN#1…I agree. The pictures look amateurish. I think she needs to cover up a little. That dress she wore at the SAG awards looked very Maria Careyish IMO. With jugs like that she needs to wear proper better support.

I’d have to agree with the other posters…Y’all check out the pics they did for Angelina Jolie http://www.style.com/vogu...ure/121206/…totally different level. They completely dropped the ball with Hudson, and it looks intentional.

Now it’s time to do something; we cannot just complain to ourselves when this type of stuff goes down. The Vogue editors need to be aware that black women patronize their magazine and will be more likely to buy the mag when there are flattering representations of us.

This spread definately is not. Hudson is a beautiful woman who deserves to looks as beautiful as all the white women they put on their covers.

Email them here at talkingback@vogue.com. Flood their mailboxes!!! The least they can do is post some great shots on the website.

You’ve just got to cheer her on! I’m very proud of her and I actually like of like the cover shot. Sometimes the “super-sexy pout” pose gets old. I think this one is actually more Jennifer. I don’t particularly care for the one with silver dress though. I’m buying it and I’m so glad she’s doing well.

http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/121206/

that’s the correct link to the angie photos…again totally different level.

61. princessadri08 said:

“…this is not a take down to jennifer but Beyonce is the best.She would have definitly nailed this shoot !!!!!!!!!”

Sweetie, believe it or not even Beyonce can take a bad pic. Get over it, please! Anyway, I love J Hud and I hope she proves all of her haters wrong when they say she is only going to have 15 min. She can act and sing. Stop hating, Damn!!!

Somebody needs to burn these pics and take a re-shoot fast!

Why are we always pitting black people, particularly black women against each other? You all should read the “Willie Lynch Letter” if you’ve never read it. Anyways, both JHud and Beyonce are great in their own way. Both talented, beautiful, black women. They don’t need to be pitted against each other, they’re plenty out there for them to both get their props. Stop hatin’ and get a life!!!

Instead of reading negatively into the cover (which we do have a right to considering the quality of the photos of this beautiful, big, African American woman) try to think of the cover as Jen mocking her haters! Her pose screams “Ha!!! Look at me now haters! On the covers of Vogue and I am fierce!!!”

I love it! If this is the concept then it works!

I’ma throw a lil rumor in there just to be messy as hell cause I never do..

It’s a conspiracy!!! Matthew Knowles told the people at Vogue that Jennifer better NOT get a Vogue cover before HIS baby because Jennifer is not a star yet, Beyonce is and will sell MILLIONS of magazines for them and if they don’t do a Beyonce cover, she won’t ever do an INTERVIEW, let alone a cover for them - and the peeps at Vogue said, “Matthew, it’s all politics… but here’s what we’ll do, Jen is definitely gonna be on the cover, the powers that be sent a message down because he owes some favors to some people, but just wait until you see it… it should make you very happy, and when Beyonce’ graces our cover, the one with Jennifer will be holding up the legs on a unleveled coffee table.”

And with that, Matthew took his briefcase and whistled “You must not know bout me…” all the way to the elevator.

You Pepole Are Sad and pathetic!!!! are your Lives so miserable and sad that you have to make everything negative?? come on people the girl is doing her thing now. Beyonce has been doing her thing. Stop Comaring them!! Get a life..So Sad

WTF…JHUD is beautiful but you cant tell in this pictures…danm. she’s vogue’s cover at last but danm yall..that make up is bad. i don even know about the dress but it’s making me go on STRIKE

ONE MORE THING….why is beyonce’s name in here danm..give the girl a break. this is about JHUD

yes, please,…let’s not use this disgraceful VOGUE job to fuel any Bey-Hudson “feud.” turn your attention to the people who actually published these god-awful shots. they got y’all complainin’ bout beyonce instead of complaining with them.

I Love J-Hud and she deserves better. I sent them an email myself and suggest everybody who is complaining now to do the same. I emailed them a good dozen pictures of her that look 20 times better than the b.s. they put out…these mofo’s stay tripping with black people, i swear…

on a good note…her essence shot looks fantastic. go black people!!

#99 Mali– good Idea, I say we get Ms. Wintour’s email as well.

Yall know they did her wrong..got her mouth open like she’s catching flies, not a good look

Feel free to write Vogue. I sure did.

talkingback@vogue.com

HERE WE GO!!! ONCE AGAIN, INSTEAD OF CELEBRATING WHAT IS TAKING PLACE HERE, BLACK FOLKS ARE BASHING!!! COULD THE PICS HAVE BEEN BETTER? YES. BUT ARE THEY UGLY AND PORTRAYING HER IN A NEGATIVE WAY? NO!!! THIS IS A CONCEPT ISSUE WHICH IS NOT MEANT TO BE ALL GLAMOUROUS AND PRETTY SHOTS PEOPLE!!! THEY WERE MEANT TO BE TAKEN AS THEY WERE!!! SHOWING HER AS IF SHE WAS PERFORMING!! WHEN YOU ARE SINGING, YOU ARE NOT STANDING THERE TRYING TO LOOK PRETTY. (UNLESS YOUR BEYONCE! LOL!) THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT STYLED HER FOR THE GOLDEN GLOBES AND SHE LOOKED GORGEOUS IN THAT CUSTOM MADE VERA WANG GOWN!!! THEY ARE ALSO STYLING HER FOR THE OSCARS SO I AM NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY YOU ALL ARE SAYING SHE WAS SET UP. ALSO, SHE IS THE FIRST FULL FIGURED WOMAN TO EVER GRACE THE COVER OF VOGUE IN THE HISTORY OF THE MAG AND ONLY THE 4TH BLACK WOMAN!!! (HALLE, OPRAH - WHO THEY MADE LOSE WEIGHT AND SOME MODEL FROM THE SEVENTIES) NOT EVEN TYRA,IMAN OR NAOMI HAVE BEEN PUT ON THE COVER OF AMERICAN VOGUE SO INSTEAD OF US COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW THE PICTURES COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER, WE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING THIS YOUNG, BLACK, SUCCESSFUL, BEAUTIFUL WOMAN!!!! I SWEAR! AND WE WONDER WHY WHITE PEOPLE ARE MORE SUCESSFUL!!! AT LEAST THEY TEND TO NOT BELITTLE EACH OTHER AND THEY STAND IN SOLIDARITY. BLACK FOLKS IF WE WANT TO SUCCEED, WE REALLY NEED TO STOP HATING ON EACH OTHER!!! THERE, I AM OFF MY SOAP BOX! LOL!

Matthew took his briefcase and whistled “You must not know bout me…” all the way to the elevator.
LOL oh no u didnt!
The cover looks cheasy an like it could be a cover for jet lol! I am proud of jennifer hudson (chicago where u at?) but I think all of this success is un-eared and too soon. Trust me she is gonna have the same problems beyonce is having if she keeps getting all these magazine covers etc. I mean she has done ONE movie and was on american idol (lost)…now she is on the cover of vogue and being called the next big thing in hollywood! I’d rather have raven simone or kylla pratt (sp?) on the cover because they actually earned a place in hollywood, instead of jen who is getting everything handed to her.

I have nothing against jen talent wise because she was great in dreamgirls, but lets not jump the boat….she could end up being a one trick pony acting wise and then everyone is gonna act like they dont even know her.

Hated it!

But glad she is on the COVER! Go Jen! Eat your heart out HATERS! (and you too Simon of AI! ROFLMAO!)

2007 is the year of “J-HUD!”

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

I disagree–I love that photo for the cover. JHud is doing her thing. God bless her.

Girl please white people dont stick together no more than black people! U dont see whites supporting britney, paris and lindsay lohan! True we as a PEOPLE need to stop the hate, but this isnt a black and white thing.

Before everyone continues with their conspiracy theories about why Jen got the cover over Beyonce, I think you should visit http://www.vogue.com and check out what Andre Leon Talley has to say about her.

The reason she got on the cover is because ALT genuinely likes her and appreciates her talent. He even said that he thinks that she doesn’t even realize the affect that she has had on people. So, in this case, she is being recognized for who she is and Beyonce has nothing to do with it.

I think it’s wonderful that he and Anna Wintour respected her enough to not only put her on the cover but also get the photographer who is considered the best celebrity photographer to shoot her.

Please, just go and buy the magazine to show the editor of Vogue our true power…

There is no damn Knowles conspiracy— VOGUE does not care what that man has to say. Who is he? They would laugh him right off the island. That theory is busted. Next.

I am sticking to my guns though that these pics are intentionally unflattering for all of the reasons I already posted about. If you choose not to read to read through the lines that is your right. However, I am not apologetic and I see no reason why I should be.

they were wrong for this one. i guess we cant expect perfection with one of few big girls on the cover this early on…

OMG @ MALI’s comment… You are so right, the difference in the pictures is incredible!!! They also took a lot more of Angelina… I know Angelina has been around a lot longer and has more credibility but dang… that’s a trip!!!

I co-sign with #7! Period!

#118 - I AM ALL MAN. I AM NOT NOW, NOR HAVE I EVER BEEN A GIRL, SO PLEASE DO NOT REFER TO ME AS SUCH!!! RESPECT ME JUST AS YOU WOULD WANT TO BE RESPECTED. THANKS!

at #118…DO NOT compare J-hud to those hoes Britney, Lohan, and Paris Hilton…white folks talk ish about those three b/c they act like trash. When has J-Hud walked out a limo with no panties on? created a sex tape? gone to rehab? never, never, and never.

And, btw, white folks DO stick together when it comes to protecting the ppl they like and try to get us to sympathize with them i.e. Anna Nicole Smith, who is now supposed to be some icon, or Jennifer Anniston, this Miss America chick, Amber Frye, the runaway bride, and every white woman in history who claimed a black man raped her.

The same way, we are sticking up for J-Hud b/c we like and respect her.

She looks terrible with her mouth open like that.

OMG WTF THAT SHIT IS SCARY.

OH HELL NO I SWEAR ITS A CONSPIRACY!!! AND I BETCHA MAMA KNOWLES IS BEHIND IT!!!! YEA I SAID IT NOW LET THE COMMENTS BEGIN!!!

im hopin this is just a proof pic…cuz i wouldnt want dat mouth open on the real cover..how many people u kno who pose 4 vogue n got they mouth open….

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!
AND THE PIC IS GORGEOUS

I dont see anything wrong with the pics.
But we as a people like to focus on the negative.
She is one of the only women of color EVER to grace the cover of Vogue yet we are focusing on the negative things.
The pics show Hudson’s personality. She isnt a sex symbol. She is a young and vibrant woman but her shine isnt about her body but her talent. I love the joy and power in the pic.
As for bringing up Beyonce, that’s inevitable. But I’m sure she doesnt care. I mean how many magazine covers has she done…It’s ridiculous to think JHud is replacing her.
They both can co-exist.
Their complexions, voices, bodies, personalities, and backgrounds, and presence on the stage are totally different but equally awesome. So why compare them anyway?
Stupid…

She should have closed her mouth on this cover shot. Other than that, its a nice pic.

Let’s be real ya’ll. Beyoncé ain’t scared of J Hud. B has 10 Grammy’s. She is music royalty. After all this DreamGirls hype dies down, J Hud will be in the “where are they now” files? Beyonce has the “it” factor, Jennifer does not. I will admit that Jennifer’s performance was amazing. However, one performance alone will not save your carrer. I’m a huge Beyoncé fan, & I hate it when she is compared to every other chick in the game. Let’s be real people, can’t nobody touch B. NO ONE! There have been a lot of pretenders & other wanna-B’s, that have come. But B has shut them all down. Jennifer Hudson is no exception. After the Oscars her 15 minutes will be up, and then everyone will see who the real number 1 chick in the game is. Not some amateur pretender who can’t control her own voice.

And before anyone else says anything, just remember who has the number 1 single in the country for the past 10 weeks. Not J Hud.

I can’t believe black people are actually going to email and write Vogue about disliking these pictures. This is so trivial. Why can’t black people put this much concerted effort into something that’s actually important and that really affects our community?

LOVING IT!!! I am so happy for her. Do it jen! And to the little writer of this story, whats up with the “big girl” remark. A little envious maybe…..

I’m confused, I thought this post was only about J-Hud and the fact that she landed the cover of Vogue.

Please inform me, why is Beyonce’s name all over this post?

Haters love to talk about Beyonce more than her fans do.

Anyway, I’m so happy for Jennifer. This girl has accomplished sooo much is such a small amount of time. I hope her star doesnt fizzle too soon. I’m excited to see what else she has in store. Congratulations mama!

Ain’t nobody replacing nobody…Its obvious that we need more RnB chicks in the game because music is going down. All I listen to is Beyonce because I like her. But I have to admit, it can’t just be one major RnB chick because then she’s going to end up falling off…So Jennifer Hudson will change that…I hope.

None of these photos are very flattering, but I still love you Jen!

WTH? Not feelin the cover or the piano pic…

I can’t stand JHud but I am very upset they would put that picture of her up. Now when I pass a news stand I will have to see that face. What a disappointment. I hope for her sake and my sanity they pick another picture for the cover and not one of the other two on top. WTF is wrong with people.

#133 SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!! NOBODY EVEN SAID ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOU BEYONCE, SO WHY ARE YOU EVEN BRINGING UP HER NAME? ONCE AGAIN, BEYONCE FANS SO DESPERATE TO ALWAYS HAVE HER BE THE TOPIC OF DICUSSION THAT THEY TRY AND MAKE IT SEEM AS THOUGH SOMEONE IS ATTACKING HER STATUS! AND FOR THE RECORD,JENNIFER WILL NOT BE IN THE WHERE ARE THEY NOW CATEGORY. SHE WLL BE SUCCESSFUL. BEYONCE IS HE ONE THAT SAID THAT SHE WANTS TO BE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO WIN GRAMMYS A TONY AND AN OSCAR! WELL JEN IS GONNA TAKE THAT OSCAR AND THOUGH SHE MAY OR MAY NOT SELL AS MANY RECORDS AS BEYONCE, I CAN GURANTEE YOU THAT SHE WILL WIN SOME GRAMMYS, BUT LET’S BE REAL HERE!!HOLLYWOOD IS NEVER GOING TO ACCEPT BEYONCE AS AN ACTRESS!! WHY? BECAUSE SHE CANT ACT!!! I LOVE BEYONCE AS A SINGER AND AS A CUTE GIRL, BUT THAT DOSN’ MEAN SHES THE BEST THING THAT GOD EVER ALLOWED TO WALK THIS EARTH! YOU REALLY NEED TO COME OFF OF WHATEVER YOU ARE SMOKING AND GET A REALITY CHECK!! AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY R BOTH SUCCESSFUL AND SHOULD B SUPPORTED

cosign with 63, I thought I was the only one who thought that by this time next year, everyone is going to forget about Jennifer Hudson. She is just for the moment.

OMG and LOL — I got no further than #6 “Damn, she covering the whole front cover, and it look like she about to eat the words on the page.” You ain’t right, DATDUDE.

These pics are not the greatest, Jen has taken much better pics in the past. I don’t happen to think she’s a gorgeous girl (unlike most, I wasn’t that impressed with the Esesnce cover), but look how beautiful Oprah’s pics were, and she’s not gorgeous either.

I think Anna Wintour let Andre Leon Talley talk her into Jen’s cover and then said, “I’ll show them.” She then went ahead and picked the most unflattering pics. That Devil definitely Wears Prada.

This is also what happens when the hype machine carries you and you’re not really ready for and haven’t necessarily EARNED all the accolades, so you don’t have the support system you need to make sure you always put your best foot forward.

I hope the cover sells. I’m gonna get it just because they don’t put sistas on there often.

This is an outrage! She does not deserve this cover. She is not evena Style icon. This a fashion magazine and she hasnt even made any Huge fashion statments. Beyonce deserved this cover and it is a shame she hasnt gotten it yet. She was voted best dressed woman of 2006 in countless polls. Beyonce has worked 10 years in this business and Vogue overlooked her for Jennifer. Anna Wintor needs to be shot for this one!

Where is Beyonce’s cover? She should have been on here years ago! She’s prettier and more talented!

#141, shut ur tired ass up! No one cares what u think about Jennifer Hudson. Watch what happens after the Oscars, Jennifer will be history & then Simmon Cowell will take back his appology becuz Jennifer ain’t going nowhere. I’m so glad that the Heiffer’s 15 mins are almost up. I am counting down the days until the Oscars are over & ever one will be saying Jennifer Who?

COOKIE…I’m not a fan of Beyonce, but I don’t believe she wouldn’t let JHUD attend her post Grammy party. Even if she didn’t want JHUD there she cares way too much about what people think.

I don’t care what picture they choose for the cover, i’m so happy that there is a black woman I can relate to is on the cover. So many steps in the right direction this year for her. She is so blessed.

Other black women on past Vogue issues http://claycane.blogspot....7/02/hudson-on-vogue.html Check out Oprah Ya’ll

pretty…….. its a pretty picture