Wednesday 11 September, 2024

Jessica Chastain has addressed the criticism around the lack of diversity on this magazine cover

She says it’s a “sad look”.

THE ENVELOPE SECTION of The LA Times was released with the paper on Thursday – and it aimed to examine the upcoming awards season in Hollywood.

The cover story was titled “A Shift in Focus: Actresses Call for a Change in the Way Many Stories Are Told” and featured Margot Robbie, Diane Kruger, Saoirse Ronan, Annette Bening, Jessica Chastain and Kate Winslet on the cover.

It caused a storm immediately due to the lack of diversity, especially given the title’s aim to “shift the focus”

It shouldn’t be necessary to point out the obvious, but clearly it’s necessary to point out the obvious. pic.twitter.com/FQjLkBiaMy
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) December 22, 2017

Franklin Leonard / Twitter

Fans of Jessica Chastain – known for her outspoken views on equality in the industry – asked her was she embarrassed by the optics of it all

Honestly @jes_chastain as an outspoken voice for equality how do you pose for a photo like this and not feel absolutely mortified by the blatant exclusion? How is it possible to not understand the msg this photo sends? pic.twitter.com/nb8caRfVL6
— Rebecca Carroll (@rebel19) December 22, 2017

Rebecca Carroll / Twitter

Others pointed out that there wasn’t a shortage of minority actresses that could have shared the cover with the deserved women already there

Four of the last 8 winners of Best Actress in a "Supporting" role are African American. Viola, Lupita, Octavia & Monique.
— 🌻Norma Francisco Wine (@NormaWine1) December 22, 2017

Norma Wine / Twitter

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We couldn't find this Tweet

Last night, Chastain responded to the furore on Twitter saying that the cover is a “sad look”

Its a sad look that there's no WOC in this pic of us promoting our female lead films. The industry needs to become more inclusive in its storytelling. What were your favorite WOC lead films this year? I LOVED @salmahayek in #BeatriceAtDinner https://t.co/tzoijwy88q
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) December 24, 2017

Jessica Chastain / Twitter

She then requested people’s favourite performances by women of colour in 2017.

Chastain then noted that her struggle to think of five names was indicative of a problem in itself

jessi23 @jes_chastain @jes_chastain

jessi24 @jes_chastain @jes_chastain

There’s been a mixed reaction to Chastain’s tweets

As a combined powerhouse of women why did you not challenge that the cover be a representation of female actresses! Lead & supporting! Instead of trying to 'think' if there had been any WOC leads this year 🙄why did you not use your voice to change the rhetoric? Shoddy defection!
— Chloë (@SimplyMsChloe) December 24, 2017

Chloë / Twitter

People have praised her for speaking up and not ignoring the issue following the publication

leap2 @LeaphiaD @LeaphiaD

While others thought The LA Times should receive the brunt of the criticism given it was their call on who sat for the photoshoot

She is absolutely right. The criticism is entirely justified, but not aimed at the right person. @jes_chastain is one of the most outspoken actresses about the need for change in Hollywood. She shouldn't be blamed for making movies and promoting them. https://t.co/aTmHJohKVW
— Liron (@LironD) December 24, 2017

Liron / Twitter

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David Elkin

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