Why Fans Are Bashing Usher’s Vogue Cover
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 05: Usher performs onstage during iHeartRadio Channel 95.5's Jingle Ball 2023 at Little Caesars Arena on December 05, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Usher is the latest star to grace the cover of Vogue, but many of the “Yeah!” singer’s fans are frustrated with how the image turned out.
The magazine unveiled its winter 2024 digital cover on Wednesday, Jan. 17. At first glance, the first thing many fans noticed about the photo was a youth football team dressed in orange jerseys. Model and actress Carolyn Murphy, 49, stands behind a couple of the kids on the right side of the photo while wearing a black Miu Miu jacket.
On the left side of the photo, Usher, 45, stands behind other kids in the group and hoists one child upon his shoulder. Dressed in a white Willy Chavarria jacket, Usher smiles at the camera and gives the photographer a thumbs-up with his free hand.
More than 1,100 people commented on Vogue’s Instagram post by Thursday evening, many of whom expressed frustration as people relayed the time it took for them to spot Usher in the photo. One person wrote that they didn’t “even notice” Usher, while Murphy appeared to have "more space” in contrast.
Others weren't certain about what the cover image was trying to convey. “Such a confusing cover,” one person wrote. “Why not put usher with his family?”
Related: Usher Is a Proud Father of 4 Kids: All About His Ultimate Greatest Hits
“He deserves the whole cover, and the concept makes no sense,” another fan said. “Y’all really missed and messed this one up. Fix it period.”
Many agreed, writing that Vogue “missed the mark” and calling for the magazine to “reshoot this cover asap.”
Another said the magazine “fumbled” Usher, a reference to the R&B singer’s upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show. “He is a Hall of Famer this is no 2nd string or back up! With 30 years in the business he deserved his OWN cover and FULL spread!”
Usher’s cover comes just under a month before he is due to headline the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show. He hinted at his main goals for the show in his interview for Vogue’s cover story, saying that he wants the performance “to feel like it’s a celebration for everybody.”
Usher announced his Super Bowl Halftime Show headlining spot last fall. On Thursday, the NFL announced that Reba McEntire, Post Malone and Andra Day will also perform on February 11 before the game begins.
Next: Waiting for the Super Bowl Halftime Show? Here's Everything to Know About Usher's 2024 Performance
