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Ms. Ferguson, Let's call it what it is: The cover image is striking and attention-grabbing because it is a beautiful woman in a risqué top. Of course a magazine cover wants to draw attention so that it drums up interest and gets read. Understood. I don't think the readers' concerns lie in the photo itself, but how the photo was used on your cover, in context of everything else on that cover. The main problem is that "Sex Robots" is so close to Ms. Naughton's face that it took me several moments to figure out her photo was not linked to the "Sex Robots" article, but to the article about someone I don't recognize who plays on a show I have never heard of. I simply thought you found a model to dress like a sex robot. I completely agree with the letters of concerns you received from those readers. I also think your defense for choosing that photo was unpersuasive. You contend that you "chose a striking image that we felt reflected her self-confidence and beauty." If that's how you feel about the photo, so be it. But I do not believe that you do not comprehend the overt sexuality conveyed by this cover image. If you wanted to use the photo that reflected Ms. Naughton's self-confidence and beauty, you should be able to find a plethora of less revealing images from an actress who must certianly have a portfolio. If Ms. Naughton is as beautiful and self-confident as you claim to believe, a photo of her in a turtleneck would surely convey the same sense of beauty and self-confidence. I understand you are defending your choices as an editor, but I do believe that you chose the wrong picture to accompany the article headlines surrounding Ms. Naughton and that it is not the critics of your magazine cover who are missing the issue here. -Chris
Kate, I read this entire blog page and I agree with what the readers that wrote to you were saying but more importantly, I think you missed the message they were trying to say but maybe did not articulate well. It seems like the issue is not with Naturi or her personal story, as this was a touching and well written story. I, too, would take time to write you an issue supporting this actress's story. The issue is with the front page layout overall. It is not an issue "in the mind of the reader" to have SEX ROBOTS written right next to the face of a photo of a woman wearing a top that doesn't cover her breasts. Your response managed to miss the point entirely while simultaneously being condescending to the readers who took time to message you. Please respond to this on your blog page- this is an important dialogue to have. -L
Crystine
Yes I agree LaQuandra. There is nothing wrong with the actress or her story. The picture next to the sex robots title on one side and "empowering women and girls" on the other side doesn't sit right with me either.
April 3, 2015