Fantasia's Twitter rant earlier this week, regarding the 10 year old photo used by Jet Magazine on their new cover, won't land her an apology as she requested.
As previously reported, the American Idol alum claimed Jet robbed her of her new look insisting, "After I send them the NEW LOOK AND DIRECTION. SAD!!! I WANT A PUBLIC APOLOGY FROM JET. Now im not sure if the interview is correct."
In contrary, the magazine says the decision to use the photo was warranted because the images sent over by Fantasia's team was not acceptable for their brand's cover.
A rep told TMZ that the mag has nothing to apologize for, claiming the photo used was deemed "most appropriate for JET's brand and reflective of the cover story sentiment. "
In other words, the magazine didn't like Fantasia's new look and didn't think it was fitting for their cover. They also insist it was a business move and that they are in the "Lose To Win" singer's corner adding, "JET continues to root for Fantasia's success and encourages her fans to pick up the new issue."
Below are the rejected images…Thoughts?
As one of the most popular magazines for African American culture, Jet Magazine has long been celebrated as a platform to highlight the achievements and stories of black people. Recently, however, it’s come under fire for its cover photo featuring singer Fantasia Barrino from April 28th 2008. The picture was taken without her permission and she felt misrepresented by how it portrayed her. Despite the public outcry, Jet Magazine has yet to issue an apology or take responsibility for their actions. In this article, we’ll look at why fans are demanding justice and what steps can be taken in order to make amends with Fantasia.
The controversy surrounding Fantasia’s cover began when many pointed out that the magazine had photoshopped certain aspects of her image to make them appear different than they actually were. This led some to question whether she’d even given consent for use of the photograph in the first place–which she hadn’t. Fans have since called out Jet Magazine on social media for not only taking advantage of Fantasia but also ignoring the fact that they wronged her in such a way. They demand an apology from Jet Magazine before any further progress can be made between both parties.
This story is about much more than just one incident; it’s about respect and representation within mainstream media outlets like Jet Magazine. It’s an opportunity to address past harms done against marginalized communities and ensure these types of mistakes don’t happen again in the future. We will explore all sides of this situation thoroughly so readers understand exactly why apologizing is necessary in this case and evaluate potential solutions moving forward.
Background To Controversy
The controversy over Fantasia Barrino’s cover photo in Jet Magazine has been an ongoing conversation since its release. It began when the magazine featured her on their August 13, 2012 edition with a picture that many found disparaging. People were appalled by how she was portrayed and felt like they had to take action.
The outrage spread quickly across social media as people voiced their opinions about the image. Many said it was degrading and offensive; some even called for an apology from Jet Magazine. Despite all of this, the publication refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing or issue a formal apology. This lack of response only seemed to intensify the debate surrounding the situation.
As pleas for reparations went unanswered, people continued to express their dissatisfaction with what happened. Some suggested boycotting the magazine while others argued that more should be done to combat racism within popular culture magazines such as Jet. Regardless of where one stands on this matter, there is no denying that it has prompted meaningful conversations on race and representation in media outlets today.
Fantasia’s Response
In the wake of all this, Fantasia Barrino has been vocal about her feelings on the matter. She took to social media and released a statement in which she expressed that she was disappointed by Jet Magazine’s response—or lack thereof. She wrote: “I am appalled that such a well-respected African American magazine would be so careless and disrespectful to use a picture of me without my knowledge or consent.”
She added, “It is not right for anyone to put their personal opinions and beliefs upon someone else’s image without permission. It sends a message that it is okay to do so and I don’t believe it is.” Her words resonated with many people who had also felt disrespected by how Jet Magazine handled the situation.
Despite Fantasia’s plea for an apology from Jet Magazine, it appears as though they have no plans on doing so at this time. This decision continues to spark conversations about race representation in popular culture magazines and how people should hold them accountable when necessary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the controversy over Fantasia’s cover photo on Jet Magazine is an example of how far we still need to go in terms of fair representation and recognition for Black Americans. The magazine had a responsibility to ensure that their featured artist was presented in a respectful manner, yet they failed to do so. While Fantasia bravely spoke up about the situation, it’s sad that Jet has not issued any kind of apology or acknowledgement of their mistake. It’s clear that there needs to be more understanding around issues like this if society is going to progress and move forward together. We must all work hard to make sure everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of race or gender. Let us use this moment as an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and create a better future for everyone.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.