One cover just wouldn’t do it for Vanity Fair.
With the help of rocker-turned-first-time-editor Bono, the mag has published a special Africa issue, with 20 different covers featuring prominent names — from Muhammad Ali and Maya Angelou to Desmond Tutu and Oprah Winfrey. All were snaps were taken by resident photographer Annie Leibovitz, of course.
According to Annie, the concept is that the covers are a “visual chain letter, spreading the message from person to person to person.” She spent nearly two months globetrotting to shoot the famous folks. Because each subject needed to appear on two different covers, some are photo illustrations. Others — Condoleezza Rice and George W. Bush – were actually together for the camera. To see specific copies of the Africa issue, go to vanityfair.com.
31 Comments
Wow!! What a spectacular idea! The photos are amazing and the fact that HUGE names like George Bush and Condeleeza were actually up to do this really says something. I will definately be buying this issue.
When is Africa going to start HELPING ITSELF. I am so sick of these celebrities screaming from the covers of magazines about how special they are, and how they are going to save Africa. Well, good for them….but really, how does a photographer flying around the world shooting celebrities for a magazine that will not be seen by a majority of Africans going to help them? Is the west as a whole and rich nations specifically supposed to keep pumping money to Africa? How about Africa taking a stand against corruption, war, violence, and saving itself. How about stopping all its wealth flowing out into the west (diamonds, gold, oil) and keeping it for the people and stemming the flow of billiong into the pockets of the greedy corrupt dictotors and warlords. How about that, Mr. Bono? Pffffft
Love the Tucker and Buffet one. And Queen Rania and Iman are absolutely stunning.
It is a really neat idea and the shots are amazing.
Anonymous…are you a young teenager or just plain stupid? You do know that Africa cannot make money due to debt that America has put them in and won’t let them out of?
I hate dumb people.
guy, I completely agree…
Also, not EVERY African is poor and destitute. There are some very cosmopolitan cities on that continent.
I too, hate dumb people.
These issues will celebrate Africa - not emphasize the poverty and destitution of many Africans. The issues are intended to give a new perspective on Africa - to challenge the beliefs of people like Anonymous.
To all ANTI AMERICAN people……….
Not our fault that the African Government is full of themselves and dont give a shit about their own people.
When in the hell are these so called infamous people going to start taking care of AMERICA needy? Yes sure our Government (be it Dem or Rep) dont give a rats ass about the USA either. Insteed “we” always run to help other countries, and let poor families here live on the streets, etc.
Dumb People?……………Then stop looking into the mirror.
If your an AMERICAN - -Take care of your own. Period.
If you want to help another freaking country……….Then get out of USA and move.
HIGH FIVE Anonymous!!!!!!!!!!!!
^^^ guy: “You do know that Africa cannot make money due to debt that America has put them in and won’t let them out of?”
I tried to tell my credit card company about the debt they put me in but they wouldn’t let me out of it either.
Huh??
Anyhow, covers are great! Anything that brings attention to a good cause.
loves it.
Ahaha… “She” thinks there is only one African Government! Ignorance. And the American government is only putting about 0.1% of its Gross National Product in development aid so… that’s not all that much. There are other countries that put wayyy more money into it.
Oh… you might ask your dear president if he could stop putting so much money in wars… that would mean a lot of available funds to help your own poor :).
best cover= iman!
Helping Africa has become one giant publicity stunt imo
She- this is exactly the problem with America: it’s all about you isn’t it? Your mind has been polluted with the American Dream which is just about individualism and nothing for the betterment of all. Keep being selfish…it’s certainly working for you isn’t it?
I’m an American and proud to be one and I think Anonymous and She should be ashamed of themselves and need to really think about what they are saying… OUR POOREST PEOPLE LIVE 10 TIMES BETTER THAN THE POOR AND DESTITUTE OF AFRICA — FACT! Too, when you live with nothing and have a war lord running things.. THEN you tell me what other countries should or shouldn’t do to help.. until then keep paying down your debt on your credit cards for things you bought that you propbably don’t need, while others fight to get drinkable water not infested with urine and shit to people who need it….AND WHILE I AGREE THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO BETTER THIS COUNTRY (HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION) LOOK TO YOUR POLITICIANS WHO STEAL OUR MONEY EVERY DAY TO PAY FOR THEIR FUCKING VACATIONS AND PENSIONS!
First off - - -
Why in the hell do you care about someone else’s backyard, when our backyard needs tending to?
Answer that one.
Im not ashamed of any of my post’s. I am 100% for America before any damn other country. Period.
____ I have NO credit cards to tend to only.1.without.herpes.
What I have is what I need. No big fancy house, no “new” cars. Though my Harley is freaking new!
Im lucky enough to have been born in the USA. Its not my fault that others werent. Does that mean that I are you have to?………..Um, no.
Though I will never understand why the OTHER countries always run to USA for help, and why the USA spends more money on the other countries……………WHEN OUR BACK YARD needs help FIRST and foremost.
Good Day.
Are proceeds actually going to helping the living conditions in Africa
Or is this just another PR moment for celebrities
I have to say that I never for one understood those people who say they are only for American ppl before any other country. Sorry, but all human lives are equal to me.
SHE you say “Im lucky enough to have been born in the USA” - that prioves my point. You think there is some hierarchy which supposedly puts you on top because you’re American? You’re arrogant, and selfish and you give other more aware and socially conscious Americans a bad name.
Right on Mel… I believe we are all in this human race together and if we don’t help, those afflictions will eventually affect us like it or not. That’s one reason I care about other backyards. Second, like I said before, all the taxes we pay and social security.. where do you think that goes? Not to us, it just goes to keep the rich richer in this country… there are sooooo many wasted funds that go to paying for our presidents vacations and congress pentions and bullshit like that… millions of dollars wasted that could go to helping our poor and educating all children and providing health care to EVERYONE… If you want to use backyards as metaphors.. well think about it like this.. you can have the most beautiful yard in the world, but if other yards are infested with bugs and weeds and overgrowth.. eventually so will yours and the value will plummet… narrow minded thinking like that is exactly why this whole world is messed up.
“a mind is like a parachute, it works best when it’s open”
oh and congrats on your new Harley.. I’m sure the poor kids in your city could have used that money for something like food.. but as long as your backyard is nice…
“Guy”: you embarrass yourself. Have you no ability to think for yourself, or is your only talent in regurgitating and spitting out what celebrities tell you you need to think? Do yourself a favor, and crack open a couple of books, newspapers, anything, and learn a little more about the continent of Africa. Don’t let your ignorance hide the fact that a lot of Africa’s problems are internal and due to corruption, and civil war,etc. etc. And yes, this is independent of the west’s influence. And as for the debt that Africa is in……..well, maybe yes, if alot of the wealth of a lot if its natural resources was pumed back into the local economies and distributed evenly, then maybe there would be an actual dent in poverty and death, and misery.
“Beautiful One”: we aren’t talking about the stable African countries here.
“Meg”: everyone knows that contributions Aftica has made in Art, Culture, Music, Literature, Peace, etc. etc. so, why not put some of those artists and philosophers and thinkers on the covers as well, why only a bunch of rich American actors, singers, and politicians, and tv personalities?
And last word to Guy: being able to see all parts of a situation, and intelligently arguing it, does not make someone dumb or stupid. If anything, you make yourself sound absurd and irrelavant when you throw that around. I had family in Africa when the colonial period was ending, so, yes, I have plenty of knowledge as to what exactly happened in post colonial Africa. Unlike some people here, I don’t talk out of my ass.
only.1.without.herpes
Posted: Jun 6th, 2007 at 10:35 am
^Ok. I semi-agreed with your points and arguments up until this latest post, which was ridiculous and unnecessary. If you’re going to comment on how someone spends the money they earned through working, why not take a look at yourself? I’m sure there are many material things that you have, that you bought out of ‘want’, but don’t necessarily =need=. Why not sell the excess of clothes you have and keep strictly what you need? That includes shoes and accessories, and what about the car you might have? How about sticking to public transportation? Or the many times you’ve gone to a salon to get your hair or nails done (or both)? Think of the money you would get, and the money you’d save… then after you think about it, you could donate it to the poor. Hey, lets start with your computer…
I think the idea is very unique and the cover shots are pretty cool. I wish I could get a closer look at some of them though… is that Madonna with Maya Angelou?
THATS’ SO FREAKING COOL!!!!!! I WANT ALL 20 VERSIONS!!!!!!!
Funny W is with his girlfriend, how appropriate!
Whoooops, last night I was about to fall asleep and realized it wasn’t Tucker, it’s Rock, Chris Rock.
Still love it!
asshole I use my work computer!!! And I drive a beat up ass car and donate my time and money to my local homeless year round not just on holidays… so if you don’t know what you’re talking about.. don’t say things like that.. my point is that miss mouth runner says we should take care of our own backyard, what the fuck is she doing to take care of it.. NOTHING, just running her mouth about others who are atleast trying to make a difference.
no disrespect, but no what you’re talking about before you judge someone.
To those of you who loved the Vanity Fair Africa edition, If you would like to to experience the daily successes, celebrations and challenges of people living throughout Africa check out The Africa Channel. It’s a new cable channel in the U,.S. And the shows they’ve got are terrificl. News, soaps, music, movies, reality shows, travel and lifestyle shows….everything in English. The channel is now seen on cable systems in Detroit, Michigan, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Georgia, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana, however they are launching throughout the country.
Check out their website at http://www.theafricachannel.com. There you’ll find clips of their shows, plus info on how to get The Africa Channel in your area..