(Photo: Vogue)
Olympic gymnast graces the cover of Vogue
American Olympic gymnastic Simone Biles graced the cover of Vogue’s August 2020 issue, showing off her strong and defined muscles in a power pose. While some fans are applauding the magazine’s moving feature, others are saying the pictures have poor lighting and have called for Vogue, as well as other mainstream publications, to hire more Black photographers.
Many fans claimed that the picture had poor lighting and does not flatter Biles’ skin tone. One fan, @BritniDWrites, even tweeted, “Simone Biles deserved better than Annie Leibovitz bad lighting.”
Aside from the split views of the lighting issue, fans did unite around one them: they were excited to see Biles’ accomplishments and story featured in an iconic magazine. But more than that, Biles’ came provided a straightforward and powerful interview with the publication.
She’s an athlete at the pinnacle of her sport—but with the world in upheaval, the Olympics postponed, and a shadow hanging over American gymnastics, August cover star @Simone_Biles has had to be resilient as never before. https://t.co/Tk4MXuuxxI
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) July 12, 2020
In an interview with Vogue’s Abby Aguirre, Biles spoke candidly about the abuse she endured from former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who is now in prison for life discussed the process. She discussed coming to terms with the abuse, and recovering from the postponement of the 2020 Olympics, Biles opened up about her depression and recognizing the acts for what they were.
“I felt like I knew, I just didn’t want to admit it to myself, that it had happened,” Biles told Aguirre. The gymnast also shared that she hopes to retire after the tentatively planned 2021 Olympics.
The full interview will be available in the next issue of Vogue.
By: Maytinee Kramer
