Vanity Fair‘s latest Hollywood issue has sparked considerable debate after featuring an all-male lineup for its annual celebration of industry stars. The 32nd annual edition, released on November 18, focused on "the new generation of male protagonists."
The magazine highlighted "male protagonists who captivate audiences and drive cultural conversation in a time of industry transformation." Global editorial director Mark Guiducci articulated a different vision for this year’s cover in an editor’s letter.
Guiducci stated these actors are "simple mortals," often kind and vulnerable, representing a generation that is "less theatrical and more human." He posed the question, "Have you ever wondered what an internet boyfriend becomes when he grows up? A movie star, it turns out. These are good boys, not tough guys or bad boys, and we love them for that."
The issue’s cover stars include A$AP Rocky, Glen Powell, Austin Butler, Jonathan Bailey, Jeremy Allen White, Michael B. Jordan, Andrew Garfield, Paul Mescal, Callum Turner, Harris Dickinson, LaKeith Stanfield, and Riz Ahmed.
Online, social media users expressed mixed reactions. While some showed enthusiasm, many questioned the decision to feature no women. One commenter referenced the cover’s tagline, "Let it be heard for the boys," asking, “Weren’t we hearing it before for the boys?”
Other users also voiced their concerns about the gender imbalance. “Everyone asking where Jacob is and I’m asking where a woman is,” one person wrote, while another added, “So this year is all men? Oh okay.” Some also suggested other male actors, such as Jacob Elordi, Josh O’Connor, and Timothée Chalamet, should have been included.
The Hollywood issue is a long-standing Vanity Fair tradition, launched in 1995. It honors both established icons and emerging stars.
The inaugural 1995 issue featured an all-female cover, including Nicole Kidman, Angela Bassett, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Uma Thurman. Thurman, now 55, reflected on its significance in a 2019 interview, noting, "To be in Vanity Fair was always sort of a milestone."
That first issue also generated controversy, with some criticizing the women for posing in lingerie. Parker, 60, recalled in 2019, "The cover created a tremendous amount of conversation and controversy about our clothes, as if we were exploited or objectified. It was really quite the opposite. It was powerful."
The magazine’s second Hollywood issue also featured an all-male cover. It included actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, David Arquette, and Will Smith.
Over the years, Vanity Fair has explored various themes for the issue. The 2001 "legends" issue featured stars such as Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, and Penélope Cruz.
Last year’s issue, themed “modern icons,” showcased a diverse group. It featured Kidman again, alongside Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Jonathan Bailey, and Blackpink’s Lisa.
That cover also drew criticism, specifically for including Lisa due to her then-limited acting experience. She was preparing for her acting debut in the third season of The White Lotus.
Former Editor-in-Chief Radhika Jones defended the decision in November 2024. She explained that including someone like Lisa, a major K-pop star lesser known in Hollywood, was "interesting" given her upcoming role.
Jones resigned earlier this year. Mark Guiducci was subsequently named the new global editorial director.