Beyonce’s historic Vogue covers released, Bey talks about body image & diversity

CFDA Fashion Awards 2018 in New York

Well, here it is, at long last. The first-ever American Vogue cover to be shot by an African-American photographer. Beyonce agreed to appear on Vogue’s September issue cover, but Bey had demands: full editorial control, and she got to hire the photographer and approve of the images. This is the result. While I think it’s amazing that Tyler Mitchell is now a photographer with Vogue-cover credentials, I also think this just shows that even a groundbreaking moment for publishing can produce some lukewarm images. I know I should be super-jazzed about these photos, but I’m not really feeling most of them – you can see the full Vogue cover package here. As for the interview… of course it’s not really an interview. Beyonce dictated some thoughts to Clover Hope, who then wrote it up as a first-person essay in Beyonce’s voice. Queen B does not deign to give interviews, people. Some highlights:

The birth of Rumi & Sir: “I was 218 pounds the day I gave birth to Rumi and Sir. I was swollen from toxemia and had been on bed rest for over a month. My health and my babies’ health were in danger, so I had an emergency C-section. We spent many weeks in the NICU.

Jay-Z was supportive: “My husband was a soldier and such a strong support system for me. I am proud to have been a witness to his strength and evolution as a man, a best friend, and a father. I was in survival mode and did not grasp it all until months later. Today I have a connection to any parent who has been through such an experience.”

How her body felt after all of that: “After the C-section, my core felt different. It had been major surgery. Some of your organs are shifted temporarily, and in rare cases, removed temporarily during delivery. I am not sure everyone understands that. I needed time to heal, to recover. During my recovery, I gave myself self-love and self-care, and I embraced being curvier. I accepted what my body wanted to be. After six months, I started preparing for Coachella. I became vegan temporarily, gave up coffee, alcohol, and all fruit drinks. But I was patient with myself and enjoyed my fuller curves. My kids and husband did, too.

She actually used the word FUPA: “To this day my arms, shoulders, breasts, and thighs are fuller. I have a little mommy pouch, and I’m in no rush to get rid of it. I think it’s real. Whenever I’m ready to get a six-pack, I will go into beast zone and work my ass off until I have it. But right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be.

The power of diversity: “If people in powerful positions continue to hire and cast only people who look like them, sound like them, come from the same neighborhoods they grew up in, they will never have a greater understanding of experiences different from their own. They will hire the same models, curate the same art, cast the same actors over and over again, and we will all lose. The beauty of social media is it’s completely democratic. Everyone has a say. Everyone’s voice counts, and everyone has a chance to paint the world from their own perspective.

[From Vogue]

The part about diversity was so pointed, I could feel Anna Wintour wince from here. Yes, we see you Nuclear Wintour. We saw your multiple covers for Blake Lively and we saw the length of time it took for you to include more diverse models in the magazine. I also appreciate that Beyonce is telling us about the twins’ birth, on her own terms. It’s none of our business and and she didn’t have to tell us anything, but if she did, I’m glad it’s on her own terms. It sounds completely brutal, my God.

What else? The cover story is really long and I couldn’t even get to half of the interesting stuff she said, about her ancestry and the history of “broken male-female relationships” in her family. There was only one part that didn’t ring true to me, and this is it: “I don’t like too much structure. I like to be free…” GIRL, KNOW YOURSELF BETTER. She doesn’t like someone else’s structure applied to her. Chica LOVES structure when it’s something she’s creating for herself. She’s a Virgo, and she is our PEAK VIRGO.

CFDA Fashion Awards 2018 in New York

Covers courtesy of Tyler Mitchell for Vogue.

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101 Responses to “Beyonce’s historic Vogue covers released, Bey talks about body image & diversity”

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  1. Astrid says:

    not feeling the photo or interview

    • Rhys says:

      I like the cover image, very artsy. Reminds me of her “Mother Earth” image with flowers and pregnant belly a while ago.

    • Jadedone says:

      She posted better photos on her instagram and they are stunning

    • Wisca says:

      I like the photos but Rih’s are more iconic-y. I was going to say the same Kaiser: STOP DELUDING YOURSELF VIRGO!

  2. Ginger says:

    I have to say, I was hoping for better. She looks half asleep in the first pic and looks like she’s hanging laundry in the second pic. This is basic Blake Lively styling.

    • C says:

      There is no way Blake lively would wear this. I think it’s gorgeous. Love all of it.

    • JanetDR says:

      I had to scroll back up and look, I thought she was hanging laundry too and it seemed an odd image for a fashion magazine. In fact, isn’t that a laundry line coming in from our left?Not that I’m not styling when I do it! Haha!
      Although I like that image more than the Carmen Miranda look of the first shot.

    • A says:

      Yeah, the photos are plain bad.

  3. Linda says:

    All I can see in that picture is how many flowers had to die for that hat?

  4. Anners says:

    It sucks to compare the two of them (because women shouldn’t be pitted against each other) but this Beyonce cover feels like a pale imitation of the Rihanna cover…both vogue with floral crowns. And Rihanna’s was a lot more vibrant. That said, it’s nice to see two beautiful, powerful, WOC fronting vogue.

    • Pita says:

      This makes me think of the plot for 13 going 30. Same idea, only in this case is the same magazine. I like Rihanna’s best.

      • Nancy says:

        I was just thinking the same. Only she could pull off having have a garden on her head, looking as though it’s normal. She is truly iconic in her photos, almost more so than her tunes. I’m definitely a Riri stan. Beyonce looks pretty too. I can relate to carrying two babies.

    • minx says:

      I loooved Rihanna’s pictures.

    • Char says:

      It’s not bad to compare the two covers and we are not pitting each other against it. Rihanna is more fashion edgy than Beyoncé, who I find very tacky sometimes. Rihanna’s cover is about fashion and herself, while Beyonce’s is about herself and the image she wants to craft.

  5. babypeanut says:

    The picture on the stairs with legs spread is horrific. She has dead eyes in all the photos. I want to blame the photographer, but who knows?

    • Mumbles says:

      I have never seen a photo of her where her eyes aren’t robotic and dull.

    • maggi says:

      all I can see in that picture on the stairs is her feet. my mom used to play me “Your feets too big” by Fats Waller so perhaps I’m oversensitive but good lord, her pedal extremities look colossal.

    • kacy says:

      I don’t see dead eyes. I see resolve and fierceness, but in a non-aggressive way. I think it’s intentional. I think we are supposed to hundreds of years of black women in her eyes.

  6. Inas says:

    Frida Kaho?

  7. Tanesha86 says:

    I can appreciate everything she’s said here as a black woman, a mother, and someone who’s had an emergency cesarean. Hopefully Vogue will continue to embrace diversity.

    • Yup, Me says:

      I agree. Beyonce isn’t perfect, nor is she the deepest, but she is clearly someone who knows her craft and how to remain successful and relevant in her field. She is also someone who continues to grow and learn and is explicitly stating her intention to continue to open doors for the next generation. All of those are beautiful and admirable and the kinds of things I want to see in an artist and business woman. She deserves respect for her command of her craft. I find that I like her more as she ages. The black Barbie thing she was doing for years was inoffensive but definitely boring and bland.

      • bella says:

        As someone already commented, she looks like she is about to fall asleep in the first pic, and in the second one she looks like she is hanging the laundry. Very strange as they lack energy, because she always seems like a force. She is so gorgeous and talented these don’t seem to capture her essence.

  8. Jensies says:

    I think the photos are lovely but the flower photo in particular would have felt fresher (pun intended) had Rihanna not released those crazy flower photos for her Vogue a week ago. I think they’re pretty though, I just wish she didn’t look so sleepy in that first one.

    I liked these interview excerpts too and feel like she sounds very accepting of her body and her experience. It’s pretty great to hear Queen Bey talk about her FUPA when we have Kim K accepting praise for being called anorexic in the same news cycle.

  9. LaraK says:

    I love the photos – they are so different. The light, the focus, the contrast – completely unexpected. Reminds me of Michelle Obama’s official portrait a bit.
    Why would you want to get a black photographer just to get the same old pictures?

    • Millenial says:

      I love the photos, too. It’s nice to see photos that aren’t so typical glossy magazine-editorial. I’m into the whole vibe presented.

    • Liniag says:

      lol there’s nothing groundbreaking or unexpected about these photo. They completely steal the style of Jamie Hawkesworth.

      • sunny says:

        True but I think the groundbreaking part is who gets to take these photos. As many thinkers in scholars in the field of inclusion have said repeatedly (and I am paraphrasing here), is that equality will come when artists of colour can make work and it doesn’t have to be extraordinary. I like that it looks typical Vogue. Not every black artists need to change the game. The standards we hold artists of colour too are frankly ridiculous.

    • Esmom says:

      Thank you. I think they’re beautiful and like that they’re not typical for Vogue.

  10. Liniag says:

    The pictures are pretty underwhelming and she sounds incredibly dumb in her interview. I mean….having male and female blood running through her because of her twins means something? She’s better when she keeps quiet.

    • Athyrmose says:

      And just think, someone transcribed her responses, and edited them for this ‘interview.’ This is the best version that they were able to come up with.

    • Anika says:

      The photos are really disappointing and, as always, whenever Beyoncé opens her mouth to talk, she’s consistently underwhelming. No change here.

  11. Iknow says:

    I actually like the photos. The front cover picture, with the shadow, made me think of the women who came before her. Like she’s paying homage, not only to past women performers, but also black women in general, acknowledging there were many strong women before her. I like the minimal make-up and I have to say, I wonder if the reason she didn’t go full on costume for Vogue September issue is because Beyonce is saying F-Vogue.

  12. Lala11_7 says:

    These are some of the first photos of her that I’ve seen where I can see where she and Solange share very similar facial attributes….

    • MaryContrary says:

      I also see Blue in the cover shot.

    • Betsy says:

      When they were in their teens/early twenties, I didn’t think they looked remotely alike. Now they practically look twinsies (like my sisters and me – we looked so different back then and now so simila!)

  13. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    Damn those are some shitty photos. I’m all for less glossy, but it almost looks like one shot was taken of her face and superimposed into various backgrounds lol. That’s how banal these are. For a landmark celebration…very disappointing. Looks like the Beckham boy snapped the shots.

  14. lucy2 says:

    I don’t love the photos – they’re fine, but not terribly exciting, something about the lighting is off to me, but I’m still really glad she took this opportunity and used it to give Mitchell a chance.
    The floral headpiece is really pretty.

    • Aoife says:

      Agree about the lighting being off – I was squinting trying to get a decent look. As for the opportunity, it feels somewhat wasted.

  15. Mo' Comments Mo' Problems says:

    The cover story/as told to interview is actually not very long and readable. The photo direction is understated and low key, which is reminiscent of a peaceful and satisfied vibe. If the filtering and color gradients were brighter and more vibrant, it would’ve exuded a more exciting vibe. I think she was trying to go for something timeless, but with diversity as its prominence.

    I appreciate everything she said, but what really stood out was what she said about Sir and her ancestry/generational experiences.

    • Hannah says:

      She can talk about it all she wants but until she stops using sweat shops for her clothing line, what does it really mean?

      • Mo' Comments Mo' Problems says:

        Hi Hannah, my guess about the Ivy Park thing is that it was a collaboration with Topshop, and that it was more of a Topshop thing (manufacturing, distribution, etc…) than Bey’s call. As always when a big name is attached to it, they are automatically turned to and pegged for this. I certainly hope she is doing everything in her power to combat against this and advocate for a better solution.

  16. stacy says:

    i feel like i’ve seen these photos done by her already in the past

  17. Marie says:

    There is something strange going on with her left arm (our right) in the bottom pic. It looks….long?

  18. Mumbles says:

    I rolled my eyes at the headline on the cover “The Case for 18+ Models.” The fashion industry is a sick, demented place if a “case” needs to be made for that.

  19. Bananaana says:

    Her evolution from uneducated child star with nothing much to say to self-educated woman with pointed and intelligent opinions… this is a goooood interview.

    • CorruptLobbyist says:

      @Bananaana “Pointed and intelligent opinions”? Those aren’t even her words. Someone else crafted her “first person” narrative.

  20. Censored says:

    I an a black woman who gives Beyonce all her props for being beautiful, talented hard working a savvy business woman and from all appearances a good hands on mom.
    That being said IMO she is not a fashion icon or fashionista and thats OK , one woman doesn’t have to be everything

    • Slowsnow says:

      We expect too much from Beyoncé – probably because she started working on political iconography/lyrics helping the black cause. And good for her for having done so. However, she has never been strong on the fashion platform or as a rallying voice on her own (without her team behind her). Her work speaks louder – it could be because she has a bigger platform than visual artists – but she seems to be lauded as THE only voice. That’s a lot of pressure, especially for someone who was not planning on being this instrumental. She is a mainstream artist with the strengths and weaknesses of that kind of platform. It seems a bit too much to divinise her but one must not minimise what she does either. Se did change the cultural background, the general aesthetic and fashion (not as a fashionista but as a beautiful black woman) and she did bring to the surface rallying words, hymns, people and ideas through her work.

    • Nancy says:

      I agree, and nobody should expect her to be everything. Singers don’t have to be models and models don’t have to actresses and so on. I think Ms. Rihanna is an exception to the model/singer world since she is so stunning on film. I would love to see her as a full time model.

    • A says:

      I agree. She is really good at curating a certain type of imagery in her music videos, which I appreciate. I think there is more for her to work with in terms of her music and her shows which allows her to shine, because she has a really good ability to bring together so many different moving parts and weave something new out of it all (her Coachella set, for instance). That’s where her strength lies, I think.

      That being said, she doesn’t have the gravitas for fashion. I think she likes fashion, on a personal level, but that’s different from having the sort of pull and charisma to really own what she’s wearing. She doesn’t project that, so she just looks like a clothes horse and not like a fashion icon.

  21. Mellie says:

    Love her. I know she and I are from completely different walks of life and the way she lives her life and the privilege she has now does not compare to my life at all, but the things she states in the interview are real to me, as a middle-aged mom.

  22. Mrreow says:

    This is just very lackluster. I was excited to see the fire that she’d bring to the September editorial and this is all very Spring Time nap feeling versus Bring on the Fall.

    It’s awesome what it stands for, regardless, of my own personal opinion on it though.

  23. Eleonor says:

    Don’t kill me but the only thing I see is the headpiece wore by Terence Stamp aka Bernadette in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

  24. Naddie says:

    ” and in rare cases, removed temporarily during delivery. I am not sure everyone understands that”. I think I understand, because my brain flipped out imagining this. I’m not a mother but I heard mine telling multiple times about giving birth, and it never sounded so shocking to me. Organs. Removed. Temporarily.

    • AG-UK says:

      oh I had a C section I think they can move things a bit but actually take them out ummm I need to ask a Dr friend. Well it was an emergency so maybe.. from what I read didn’t read it all I like her but not like others do even though she’s from my hometown I try to support my fellow Texas peeps not the crazy ones though.

  25. Sumodo1 says:

    Awwww c’mon, Bey! You’re pulling my leg: “Some of your organs are shifted temporarily, and in rare cases, removed temporarily during delivery.” Calling Doctor Fine, Doctor Howard, Doctor Fine.”

  26. Ferdinand says:

    I just can’t even with “Queen B”. 🙄

  27. Adorable says:

    This was actually a good interview from Beyonce.I usually find her pretentious,but in this interview she was “Human”to me.Relatable,carefree,in love,enjoying & exploring life and her artistry,her family…LOVED!New Beyonce fan..

  28. dumbledork says:

    I think she looks beautiful. But isn’t it a little rich for her to comment on the NICU situation? Back when her first was born, they took over a whole area of Lenox Hill hospital, and their security guards and staff prevented many parents from getting to their kids in the NICU for hours. Waiting family members were booted from waiting areas by her security. Took her going through the situation to have some empathy herself I guess.

  29. magnoliarose says:

    I don’t like the photoshoot. It is derivative of too many other people’s work at the moment.
    Anna Wintour is the doyenne of white, thin beauty ideals. She was always crazy for a certain look. Conde Nast should be ashamed of themselves for taking this long for this moment. It is ridiculous it took this long to have a black photographer shoot the cover and I am glad for the historical breakthrough. There have been plenty of worthwhile photographers of color waiting for the chance.
    That said, I am just not into this aesthetic.

    I like what she said about accepting her post pregnancy body. It is never the same. Even though others they may not see the differences, they are there. I remember working overtime trying to avoid stretch marks with all sorts of creams and oils. I became obsessed. Looking back I smh. I know someone who was determined to only gain 10 pounds during her pregnancy so that she would be able to do a miraculous bounce back. Of course, she was miserable the whole time. A woman goes from bump watch to feeling pressure to look like they did pre pregnancy.

    With Beyonce, it has been obvious that she has decided to just be fuller because she wants to. Her weight used to fluctuate a lot and it seems like she just got sick and tired of it and decided to enjoy motherhood instead of spending each day doing 2 workouts and skipping favorite foods. Not everyone wants to look like Gwyneth and Tracy Anderson.

  30. Ghaia says:

    Wow. The pictures are weird in terms of lighting. The colors don’t pop at all. Of course she looks amazing anyway. She is Beyonce. Wonder what Lainey will say. She made a huge deal about Beyonce showing Anna Winton how it’s done. This is not how it’s done though. I agree that it is scandalous that this it took Beyonce to give an African American photographer the chance to do the cover. But man. There are so many other better ones. Did she not thinking of asking experts for advice on who would be good?

  31. Artemis says:

    I love Bey but I expected so much more from the pictures. And I wanted a female black photographer. This is not cutting edge, surprising or even fascinating the look at. Just 1x skimmed over them and that’s it for me.

    I love the text however. She’s very spiritual and a peace with herself. I like that. I still don’t understand her staying with Jay but her reasoning is profound. I hope he doesn’t mess it up as she’s taking on a generational burden and very aware of it and her kids might make decisions in years to come that will make Bey sad. I’m sure Ms Tina Lawson stayed for similar reasons, she’s a profound woman as well. And all it achieved was Bey marrying her father.
    I like that she’s 100% committed to her children and career to improve. Very inspiring. She will keep creating and inspire other black artists.

    Also shout out to Beys lips that deflated months ago, around her Coachella prep when her body started to settle down. Noticed nobody is coming at her for that anymore because it’s obvious it was pregnancy related 🙂

    And I can’t with Rihanna comparisons. Bey never needed fashion, she has a career. Rihanna has no vision for career. She needs to make radio hits. She can’t even sell out stadiums. She can’t perform and doesn’t care to improve as she can be drunk or high at times. She branching out to clothes, lingerie and make up because of her low skills as a singer. Without this extra business she would have no longevity. Add to that her youth and looks are the main reason of why she sells fashion and you can see why at age 30 she’s branching out more and more. Rihanna will age and nobody will be waiting for her to perform club hits with no dancing or singing skills. Madonna can do that at age 40-55, not Rihanna.
    Beyonce 2 decades later is changing the game and actively visibly improving herself. Bey doesn’t need fashion cuz she has everything else.

    • Naddie says:

      Thank you for the Beyoncé-Rihanna part. Beyoncé doesn’t need to be fashion wise: she’s got talent.

    • horseandhound says:

      and yet, rihanna has some really fun songs I like. and beyonce, despite her singing talent, dance moves and perfectionism, has, in my opinion, very few good songs. a voice isn’t all you need to be interesting. a good song is the key. also, I don’t like beyonce’s new ‘music’. she’s just reciting. no singing. and she’s all aggressive and full of herself. I don’t appreciate that kind of power. if I were a black woman I wouldn’t be able to identify with her. she sees herself as royalty of some kind and talks about having loads of money, but how does that help a black girl or a woman trying to become more confident, more happy about herself, more self-loving…? I don’t think she’s a good role model. I like the flowers on her head. that’s all.

      • A says:

        @horseandhound “If I were a black woman I wouldn’t be able to identify with her” Ok, but you’re not a black woman, so I don’t see how or why you would be able to comment on that to begin with. Why wouldn’t young black girls be inspired by a person who has the self-confidence to look at herself as royalty? Especially when we live in a world where young black girls constantly get the message that they are not enough. Not pretty enough, not desirable enough, not smart enough, not good enough. You don’t think it’s inspiring for them to see a black woman talk openly about her blackness through her work, to have confidence in who she is as a black woman? How do you think confidence is cultivated anyway?

        If you’re not black, you wouldn’t get it. So don’t comment on it. It’s not your place.

      • Artemis says:

        So you basically just agreed that Bey is superior when it comes to performing due to her voice, dancing and strive for perfection but in your personal opinion you prefer substandard performing as Rihanna provides fun (read: commercial) bops. Ok.

        And you think that some of Ri’s body of work is appropriate for young black girls? like her defending staying with her abuser sans the reflection that Bey offers on Lemonade? Was Rihanna not angry at us that we had higher hopes and standards for her in regards to C Brown? Or her songs about self-destructing behaviours? Or gloryfing her wealth while using stripper visuals (pour it up). Bops with damaging messages and she never pretended or said she’s a role model as per her own words during those eras. Remember her image was good girl gone BAD.

        When Rihanna then does grow up and reflect (no shade, she’s different now in a good way) people are not buying her music like before and she CANNOT sell out stadiums. Her lack of perfection and vision caused her (team) to scrap 3 flop songs from Anti with a messy underwhelming rollout of Anti afterwards. Facts are facts. Even Rihanna knows she can’t play around with her career like that. Either she delivers consistent bops or she doesn’t and the public doesn’t care. Bey don’t play and that alone deserves respect. She knew she had to be more than a pop star to survive in the industry and she ain’t gonna be selling panties and make up to achieve this. I think Ri is getting there but it would be easier to stick to selling products if her work ethic re: performing does not improve and if she lacks general vision for her next era.

    • Yes Doubtful says:

      I think they are very different women talent wise and career wise so I don’t see a point in trying to compare the two. Why do we always do this with women? Minaj vs Cardi, Britney vs. Christina, Katy vs. Gaga. I don’t see it happen as often with men.

      As for Bey’s marriage….I’m not surprised that she never left him. Some think they are together for business purposes, but I think she truly loves him. I think she’s traditional and wants one husband for life. She meant those vows! IMO she deserves better, but it’s her life.

      • Naddie says:

        I actually agree with you about comparing, and try to avoid when I can but since people are doing in this post, I had to. I think Rihanna is highly overrated but I leave it because, well, I do enjoy some of her songs. However, it’s unfair to look down at Beyoncé because she’s not into fashion as Rihanna since she’s the one who actually live up to the definiton of artist/singer/performer.

  32. Betsy says:

    Did we know she developed pre-ecplampsia? I guess that she’s AMA and pregnant with twins (also, I think African American woman have a higher risk of it that white women?) I kind of wondered, but I don’t remember learning that she had it. Yikes. That is some scary stuff.

    And she’s not lying about c-sections being weird and pretty violent. I had full sensation (minus pain) and it is not a nice surgery.

  33. themummy says:

    Ok, so with the exception of the floral headdress photo at the website (the one where she is looking right at the camera), which I ADORE and LOVE, these photos are all kinds of NOPE. Especially that one on the stairs with her legs spread and those feet that look like a mens size 18 (I know it is a trick of perspective that makes them look big, but they look big!!).

    The interview is….. See, here’s the thing with Beyonce. She starts to say some good, meaningful stuff and then she always wanders off into “me, me, me, I’m great, my ego is huge, I’m the most unique woman ever to live, no woman has ever lived who is as interesting and magical and SUPER MEGA SPIRITUAL as I am” territory. And it’s a giant turn off.

    • A says:

      Yeah, but how many men in the industry also have egos? How about white women? How and why are they allowed a pass, but Beyonce hyping herself up is a turn off?

      • CorruptLobbyist says:

        @A Let’s be clear: Women of any color are not allowed a pass on ego. One needs only look at the 2016 election for an example.

    • Naddie says:

      Funny, I don’t get this “I’m so above” vibe in this interview.

    • Sandy says:

      This magazine is ABOUT Beyonce, she has to talk about herself, I am glad she did, we hardly ever have insights into her life, experiences, perception, she never talks about herself when she is not promoting her concerts, etc, she doesn’t have to, she’s already a star, i think thats why one of the reasons so many people were excited for this cover, I know I was, fashion is not something she actually deem that important but has fun with none the less, beautiful woman, love how she is evolving.

      • Regulator says:

        the whole project from cover to inside photos to the canned interview which it wasn’t was a huge let down! Let’s not coddle celebrities like they are gods!

  34. Amelie says:

    I thought I was going to be the only one who didn’t like these pictures. That first picture is weirdly backlit and while I guess it was supposed to give off some kind of “painting” effect, Beyonce’s eyes just look lifeless. It’s disappointing considering this was the first African-American photographer to do Vogue’s cover. As for the floral headdress, we’ve seen her do flowers before for her birth announcement so I’m really underwhelmed by the headdress (but props to her for carrying it on her head, that thing has got to be heavy).

    As for the second picture, the dress is really pretty and she looks great on it but the overall effect is just… kind of meh? She’s totally on point about people in power needing to broaden their horizons and Rumi and Sir’s birth story sounds pretty traumatic. Her social activism is great and she does use her position of power to empower people of color. But her fashion has never wowed me and she’s not exactly the most eloquent person.

  35. Auto Correct says:

    Some of these are really cool! I especially love the one in which she is sitting in the rusty chair and also the one in which she is standing in front of the blue blanket and blue sky: the colors are pretty and calm, which I guess wouldn’t blow anybody away. The vibe is just sort of quiet and casual and sort of introspective, and I kind of appreciate that. I don’t need to be blown away all the time.

  36. ClaraBelle says:

    I’m not a Beyonce fan and I don’t expect anything interesting or authentic to come from any interview, but I LOVED the photos and think they are really different in a truly artistic way.

  37. Patty says:

    I hate the pics they chose for the cover and editorial; they are a tad bit mediocre (just my opinion). I’m glad Bey gave Tyler Mitchell a chance but there are far more seasoned African American photographers, including female ones, who would have killed it. We want diversity not mediocrity.

    Although there have been plenty of white photographers who have churned out damn awful stuff for Vogue, so I’ll call it a draw.

    • Peggy says:

      More mature, seasoned photographers would want a significant level of control over a Vogue shoot, and this feels very much like a Beyoncé production (she’s been dipping in and out of this aesthetic for the last two years), so I think it’s obvious why she chose this photographer. She wanted someone who’d simply show up and follow her direction.

  38. Derriere says:

    I appreciate the “moment” that Beyonce gave us. And I appreciate her candor. But the photos are underwhelming. I’m surprised that anyone hired a photographer at all. These are the same photos Beyonce shares on a whim taken with a camera phone.

    Also…those Vogue headlines are exactly what is wrong with the fashion industry. How many vapid fashion editors did it take to approve them? To approve articles like “The Case for 18+ Models”? It’s gross.

    • A says:

      The photos Beyonce shares on her Instagram (which is what I’m assuming you mean) are not photos taken on a camera phone. They’re photographs taken by professional photographers whom she hires. Beyonce does a lot of things, but she doesn’t take photos of her life and share them on a whim, least of all on social media.

  39. A says:

    I read this post and didn’t look at the actual pictures until later, and now I’ve finally sat down and looked closely and I have to say I like them. Not all of them, of course, but there are some shots here that are more effective and better composed than others. I think the photographer did a wonderful job and I give him a lot of credit.

    At any rate, this is miles better than the endless dead-eyed Kardashian-Jenner nepotism circus, let alone yet another cover and editorial shot by some creepy white male photographer who has been secretly feeling up and abusing his models on the sly. If we’re going to live in a world where Taylor Swift’s badly written teenage angst-ridden poetry gets featured, then I don’t see why we can’t give Beyonce her due as well. She’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there have been people far less deserving who have gotten far too many chances for way too long.

  40. Yes Doubtful says:

    The photo shoot is….not good. She has a beautiful smile, why all the moody faces? I appreciate her candor on her body and her last pregnancy. This is why I hate “baby bump” rumors. It’s rude and most of the time, people are wrong.

  41. Sandy says:

    Gorgeous, less is more, regarding the makeup, love the article, she is very private, so I enjoyed what she chose to share, iconic, historical comes to mind.

  42. Kat says:

    There was some really interesting information in the interview, and yet all day I’ve been seeing other media outlets obsessing over the fact that she says she weighed 218 lbs. when she had her twins. It’s the headline screaming out on so many sites. “OMG YOU GUYS!!! Beyonce weighed 218 lbs! TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN WHOLE POUNDS!” The obsession with women’s weight is … exasperating.

  43. Ravine says:

    The clothes are interesting.

  44. Jag says:

    I like her dress in the second one, but is it just me or is her face blurred in both images? One would think that the entire photo would be crisp, but they’re not.