Vanity Fair, a renowned publication, marked its centennial celebration back in 2013 by featuring the iconic actor and model Kate Upton on its front cover.
Upton’s portrayal, reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe with luscious blonde curls and a dazzling gold bodice, paid homage to the magazine’s inaugural issue from 1913.
Now, as the magazine gears up for its upcoming 110th-anniversary edition in September 2023, the spotlight is on selecting a lineup of inspirational women to grace the cover.
Vanity Fair is meticulously considering numerous influential and inspiring figures to adorn their milestone issue next month.
Rumors swirl that the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, eagerly anticipates a call from the editor-in-chief regarding a potential feature on the commemorative cover.
However, the likelihood of this materializing remains slim due to a strained relationship stemming from a previous collaboration gone awry in 2017.
Reports suggest that Megan’s penchant for micromanaging every aspect, from concept to makeup, irked the Vanity Fair team.
Her insistence on a bold, nearly n^de appearance with minimalistic makeup raised eyebrows, as it diverged from traditional brand sponsorships and focused solely on her individual image.
The drama escalated when Meghan Markle reportedly contacted the PR team in distress following Buckingham Palace’s disapproval of a Vanity Fair interview concerning Prince Harry.
The 2017 feature, which highlighted Megan’s personal life over her professional endeavors as an actress, activist, and philanthropist, drew backlash from the royal quarters.
Megan expressed frustration over the piece’s emphasis on her relationship rather than her charitable work, attributing the oversight to Vanity Fair’s inability to corroborate key aspects of her early activism.
The interview, orchestrated by Kelly Thomas Morgan of Megan’s PR firm Sunshine Sachs and conducted by Vanity Fair’s contributing editor Sam Kashner, shed light on the intricate dynamics at play.
Kashner, initially unfamiliar with Megan’s background, navigated the conversation cautiously, aware of the sensitive topics off-limits at Megan’s behest.
As revelations unfolded in the interview conducted at Megan’s residence, tensions mounted, culminating in a public relations storm that reverberated across media platforms.
Amidst the chaos, Megan’s strategic use of her relationship with Prince Harry to bolster her public persona came under scrutiny, underscoring the intersection of celebrity and royalty.
The narrative surrounding Megan’s ascent to becoming Harry’s fiancée through a blend of Hollywood allure and royal intrigue captured public fascination.
Megan’s swift reaction to the palace’s discontent, including threats to sever ties with her PR representatives, signaled a rift that extended beyond the glossy pages of Vanity Fair.
In the aftermath, discussions between Megan’s representatives and Vanity Fair’s editorial team hinted at underlying power dynamics and expectations.
Speculations arose regarding Megan’s cover feature being contingent on her royal affiliations rather than her individual merits, sparking debates on authenticity versus opportunism in the realm of celebrity culture.
As the saga unfolded, the clash between personal ambitions and institutional protocols underscored the complexities inherent in navigating fame and influence on a global stage.