Vanity Fair, the prestigious cultural magazine, has ignited a significant controversy with the release of its 2025 Hollywood Issue. For its 32nd annual special edition, the publication chose to feature an exclusively male lineup on its cover, a decision that has drawn swift criticism and debate across social media platforms.
The Cover Stars and The Immediate Reaction
The iconic issue, which traditionally heralds the beginning of awards season, consisted of three separate covers. The actors featured were Jeremy Allen White, A$AP Rocky, Glen Powell, LaKeith Stanfield, Callum Turner, Riz Ahmed, Jonathan Bailey, Harris Dickinson, Andrew Garfield, Paul Mescal, Michael B. Jordan, and Austin Butler.
While some Instagram users celebrated the gathering of A-list talent, the overwhelming response was one of confusion and disappointment. The comment sections were quickly flooded with questions about the notable absence of women. "What happened to the women?" one person demanded to know, while another queried, "I have to assume vanity fair is also doing an all women cover as well right?" Another critic joked, "I feel like we’ve heard enough of the boys," a pointed reference to the issue's title, "Let’s hear it for the boys."
Backlash in a Charged Political Climate
The timing of the all-male cover has been particularly scrutinised. The decision was made public against a backdrop where women have reported a rise in misogynistic sentiment following the election of Donald Trump. Furthermore, actors and industry professionals continue to sound the alarm about persistent gender inequality within Hollywood itself.
This move was seen by many as a tone-deaf gesture, overlooking the ongoing struggles for representation and equal standing that women in the film industry face. The issue, which also includes interviews with each actor and videos of them watching YouTube videos together, was perceived by critics as a missed opportunity to platform female voices.
Historical Context and Editorial Justification
This is not the first time Vanity Fair has featured a single-gender cover. The very first Hollywood Issue in 1995 showcased only women, including stars like Uma Thurman, Nicole Kidman, and Sandra Bullock. The magazine alternated between all-men and all-women covers for its first three years before typically opting for co-ed presentations. Historically, the cover has featured only women 11 times.
In defence of the 2025 choice, Vanity Fair’s global editorial director Mark Guiducci released a statement framing the all-men cover as a deliberate commentary on the evolving nature of Hollywood stardom. He argued that these actors represent a departure from the traditional, often toxic, masculine archetypes of the past.
"Our new leading men are something much more radical: mere mortals," Guiducci said. "Often kind, sometimes vulnerable, each extraordinary — never before has a generation of actors been less performative, and more human. They are good guys rather than strongmen or bad boys — and we love them for it."
Despite this artistic justification, the magazine did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent, leaving the public debate to continue unabated. The conversation highlights the delicate balance publications must strike between creative editorial choices and their broader cultural impact, especially on issues of representation.
