21 Once-Popular Magazine Covers That Would Be Deemed Too Provocative Today
The cover page of a magazine plays a pivotal role as it acts as the face of the issue. However, due to cultural and ideological shifts, what once was accepted can easily trigger people today and come off as offensive. The once-accepted and celebrated magazine covers are now provocative for various reasons, be it nudity, gender discrimination, or even racism. Here are 21 once-popular magazine covers that would be deemed too provocative today.
This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.
Rolling Stone Magazine – John Lennon and Yoko Ono
This issue of Rolling Stone Magazine featured naked John Lennon who had his body wrapped around a fully clothed Yoko Ono. Reports suggest that this photo was taken by Annie Leibovitz hours before the singer’s assassination. The image showcased the intimacy between the two but was later featured on the cover as a tribute.
Time Magazine – The Gun in America
Published back in 1968, the magazine cover, “The Gun in America” was illustrated by Roy Liechtenstein. It was a provocative cover to attract traders about the controversial gun ownership in America. The assassination of Kennedy also acted as a catalyst to fuel this debate as people looked upon the lenient gun control laws.
Rolling Stone Magazine – Britney Spears
The fashion industry has evolved, and the models hold a respectable position in society. However, when Britney Spears appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine in 1999, the actress was just seventeen years old. The picture shot by David LaChapelle faced heavy backlash and controversy about young actresses in the industry.
Time Magazine – Are You Mom Enough?
One of the most crucial moments of a woman’s life is when she enters motherhood and nurtures a child. In 2012, Time Magazine published a cover featuring a “mother” breastfeeding her “child” standing on a chair. This caused a lot of commotion about the position of such pictures and gathered attention to the breastfeeding advocacy moment.
Paper Magazine – Kim Kardashian
This issue of the Paper magazine aimed at “breaking the internet.” It featured none other than Kim Kardashian in a unique pose. The image shot by Jean-Paul Goude showcased the actress balancing a champagne glass on her buttocks. It was criticized for its vanity and unrealistic body standards, which the actress flaunted.
Playboy Magazine – Darine Stern
Playboy magazine, under its editor-in-chief, Hugh Hefner, published a series of revealing images on its magazine covers. In 1971, it featured Darine Stern, the first African-American woman on the cover. This created a lot of confusion within the African American community, and Stern was accused of misleading young girls the wrong way.
Time Magazine – OJ Simpson
Some people think that the physical features, including characters’ skin color, should not be changed and kept original. In 1994, when Time Magazine showcased OJ Simpson as a black character, this alternation was interpreted as a racist move and highlighted the issue of racial bias in the media.
Vanity Fair – Demi Moore
Joy and celebration welcome a new life into this world. In contemporary times, many have uploaded pregnancy pictures, but the cover of Vanity Fair in 1991, which featured Demi Moore’s pregnancy photo, was a groundbreaking moment at that time. The depiction of pregnant women was questioned, and she was criticized for that apparently “vulgar” picture.
Time Magazine – Hitler
Amidst the Second World War, in 1938, Time Magazine named Adolph Hitler its Man of the Year. The German dictator was glorified throughout Europe by his loyal Nazi followers, who were blind to his devious crimes. It is very controversial because of his harsh treatment of the Jews and his dictatorial position, which resulted in the death of millions. He was bestowed this “for influencing the year’s news most ‘for better or ill.’
New Yorker – Obama and his Wife
An individual’s culture should be respected and upheld, as it stands as a symbol of diversity. When Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama dressed in extreme stereotypical outfits for the cover of the New Yorker in 2008, the reviews were mixed. Some promoted it and praised the celebration of one’s culture, whereas others were disappointed due to the reinforcing stereotypes.
Esquire – Muhammad Ali
It was extraordinary when Muhammad Ali was featured on the cover of Esquire in 1968. Photographer Carl Fischer captured his image, taking inspiration from Andrea Mantegna’s painting of Saint Sebastian. Ali had arrows all over his body, symbolizing his martyrdom for rejecting the Vietnam draft. This picture, taken after he lost his title, used both religious and political sentiments to create a strong statement.
Newsweek – Sarah Palin
When you’re in the political race and a prominent figure, it is important to protect your reputation, as people will do anything to defame your character. Sarah Pallin appeared on the cover of Newsweek in 2009, dressed in a fitted top with running shorts. The headline was “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sarah?” Many supporters criticized her and argued that it trivialized her political career.
GQ – Jennifer Aniston
A sense of dignity and decorum must be maintained while making a point or setting an example. Jennifer Aniston posed undressed except for a necktie for the cover of GQ, which started a debate about the sexualization of women. Some argue that women need not have a barrier, whereas others hold the view that she prompted the objectification of women in society.
National Review – Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin is an American conservative commentator who is certainly not a favorite of liberals. She was featured in the National Review, where she wore a maid’s outfit, symbolizing that women should conform to the norms of the house. This promotion of the ideal angel in the house was appreciated by many people who accused her of misogyny.
Rolling Stone Magazine – Kanye West
Kanye West appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in 2006 wearing a crown of thorns resembling the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The cover had the title “The Passion of Kanye West,” which caused uproar and offended many Christians. Numerous people considered the image offensive and disrespectful, as well as criticizing his art. It raised the question about tolerance and the use of religion in art.
The New Yorker – Bert and Ernie
The cover of The New Yorker in 2013 featured Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street as a gay couple right after a Supreme Court verdict on gay marriages. This led to a controversy about them using children’s characters, who were minors, to discuss adult matters. It also resulted in a debate about media portrayals and cultural outrage, which is unacceptable in every society.
Esquire – “We tortured some folks”
The cover is a jab at President Obama, who openly said, “We tortured some folks,” referring to the use of torture by the CIA post 9/11. This raised the question about ethical standards and was disturbing as no heed was paid to human rights. It was not proved whether these people had a direct connection with the crash or not, but they were still subjugated to such torture.
Rolling Stone Magazine- Jim Morrison
This controversial cover by Rolling Stone featured a undressed Jim Morrison after his death, which shocked everyone. Using a deceased person who took his nudity in tribute to Morrison’s rip-roaring nature was severely questioned. Moreover, other accusations revolved around using Morrison’s death as an object of amusement and commercial gain.
GQ – Megan Fox
In 2008, the October issue of GQ featured Megan Fox in a highly controversial and provocative cover. According to some, Fox showcased a few suggestive poses where she wore quite “revealing” clothes, an image that highlighted her attempt to disrupt Disney’s treatment of young women. Additionally, her frank comments during an interview discussing this topic and the sexualized imagery triggered more discussions and uproar.
Life – The Blunt Reality of War in Vietnam
In 1965, the November issue of Life magazine featured a picture clicked by Paul Schutzer, which captured a Vietcong prisoner with his eyes and mouth taped. Even though Paul tries to show us the harsh reality of the war and the destruction of Vietnamese citizens, it also triggers a large group of Americans who lost their children enrolled in the army regiment. The devastating war and brutal cost of human conflict bring back memories of the war causing unrest.
Rolling Stone Magazine – Boston Bomber
Rolling Stone Magazine’s August edition in 2013 featured Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on its cover, one of the accused in the Boston Marathon Bombing. After several people were enraged at this decision, Rolling Stone made a statement to defend their decision. Many shops refused to sell this edition of the magazine, and citizens accused them of glamorizing terrorism and glorifying such terrorist acts.
