Obama Family Continues Tour Of American Magazine Covers

WWD:

Barack Obama and family will be making the rounds on even more covers once the September issues of the monthlies hit newsstands. First, the entire family will appear on the cover of Essence for an upbeat story by PBS newswoman Gwen Ifill. The magazine nailed the exclusive interview and photo shoot with sister Time Inc. title People that took place in Butte, Mont., during the Fourth of July and at the Obamas' home in Chicago in mid-June (People's Obama interview and photo shoot ran in its Aug. 4 issue). Among the highlights in the Essence story, Ifill reports from the campaign bus as the family travels to Montana, and how they interact with supporters and with each other. "The Obamas pride themselves on creating a family picture that is authentically black with shades of Norman Rockwell," she summarizes. Michelle Obama also discusses her family's relationship to its neighborhood on the south side of Chicago: "For all of this wonderful madness that comes along with our lives -- the Secret Service, the cars -- there are kids on Forty-seventh and King Drive who can walk two blocks and be that close for the first time to somebody who can be the president of the United States. I love that," she says.

The current issue of Ebony, meanwhile, features Michelle Obama by herself on the cover. She wore her own clothing for the shoot -- including a suit from favored designer Maria Pinto

Read the whole story: WWD

Comments

[cindyw]

I know it's not relevant, but they sure are lookers.

[joeyp404]

They truly are blessed. Thank goodness the little ones' parents are not forcing them into the limelight. That would be just wrong.

[mypov123]

Hey Joey, these are just pictures, the children don't participate in the interviews in these magazines. And they've only done ONE interview with their children, and that was a great interview, I have to say. People know they have children, what do you want them to do, lock their children in the house so no one can see them? Get your facts straight before you starting typing.

[mphalen]

Forty-seventh and King Drive? That's one of those regentrifying neighborhoods in Chicago. It borders the north end of Hyde Park and is close to the lake. It is one of those up and coming neighborhoods that in about ten years will be too too expensive for the average family to afford.

[DevilAdvocate]

You are insane... 47th street, which part because the last time I seen it it wasn't so up and coming.. Chicago resident! Stop the lies! 35th down is up and coming 47th has a long way to go!!!

[FdeBear]

Thank you, DevilAdvocate! I lived in Chicago for 35 years. I lived in Hyde Park and South Shore. King Drive is about 2 miles from the lake, but you have to cross South Lake Shore Drive first. You must be thinking about Cottage Grove. I use to hang out at 47th and King.There is gentrification, most by young black professionals. Low income people are not being forced out of the community. It is not near the lake. It's smack in the middle of the black community. They live near historic Bronzeville. The Obama's live in the "hood". They have always lived in the "hood" like Muhammad Ali and Mahalia Jackson. So there!

[Brillig]

IF IS IS AN AVERAGE FAMILY PLACE NOW - "re GENTRIFYING" NOT GENTRIFIED, THEN IF THE OBAMAS WIN, THE AVERAGE JOE WILL HAVE A JOB, SO HE WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT...

[SwingingFromCenter]

That's the biggest benefit to this election:

No matter who wins, we're gonna get a First Lady that most of us wouldn't mind looking at for 4 years :P.

Which, really, was the only benefit to W. taking office twice (though Laura's last few hairstyles haven't been flattering, and age is catching up to her).

[roshni]

Disagree - Cindy looks like a reptile with too much botox. Most of her body is full of silicone.

[Melissa]

Ciindy is elegant and very classy. Although I wouldn't compare any first lady with Jackie O, Cindy would be right up there.

[4everEasley]

What a Gorgeous Family! but I hope that they do other Magazine Covers that Aren't so Biased when it comes to Race. Personally I am sick of tired of all of the Black or White stuff out there. Why does everything have to be about Race?!

Thus said, the Obamas are Absolutely *Gorgeous*

[AfroLatina21]

The Obama's can do whatever magazine cover they choose.

Let me guess since you consider Essence and Ebony to be biased magazines, do you also consider magazines like Vogue, Cosmo, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Redbook to be biased....­....I think I already know your answer.

[TNT2008]

I'm with you! I don't care if they put Michelle Obama on "American Riflemen" she is gorgeous and so is her entire family!

0 2008

[robXdion]

I knew this was coming. These magazines exist because historically what you consider "mainstream" magazines have always refused to put blacks on their covers or represent their culture. "Mainstream" is generically mostly white. And the little diversity is has only marginally increased around 1984.

[DevilAdvocate]

LOL, what the black community has what 5 magazines out of a sea of thousands, and you are saying he shouldn't be biased? But he's been on many covers... see how this world is so closed and can't even see their rasism...

[GravitonX]

You gotta love white people, even the Liberal ones. She probably doesn't think that Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Elle, or any of the other "beauty" magazines are "biased." LOL

[DebofMD]

They were just on the cover of People.

[Bronxcutie]

I have to get this new Essence! I already have the Ebony issue. I buy anything with Michelle on the cover. She and Barack are truly inspirations to me. I am an African-American female who plans on attending law school in the future, and may venture into politics in a few years. I love the Obamas!

[DevilAdvocate]

I love her too because she's tall! I run a tall magazine, and I wish I could get an interview with her!!! I'm still trying! 5'11 she is! Yeah...

[AfroLatina21]

Beautiful family....­....now I have to go pick up both issues.

[All57States]

Tell me again how the media is anti-Obama.

[mypov123]

Ever heard of Fox News? It's a "news" channel that has been dedicated to smearing the Obamas for more than a year.

[FdeBear]

The stats testify to the fact that more negative comments are made about Obama than McCain.

[mairs]

Just turn on your TV.

[merle7]

For the first time in my adult life I am proud to be an African American in these United States of America May God Bless America and the Obama family !!!!!!

[HBeachbum]

Racist.

[DevilAdvocate]

and.....yo­u point? the time we stop seeing race and bias will be the time I will proud of USA.. we are not there yet.

[FdeBear]

It is so appropriate for the Obama's to be featured on the cover of these great magazines. It's one of highest tributes offered by the black community.­Before Essence there was Ebony and Jet - proud institutions in the African-American community. There were no national publications that featured positive images of African-Americans in the competitive market. John Johnson made it work. I also want to recognize the Chicago Defender, The Amsterdam News et al. They reported the news that whites did not print. Essence was a blessing. What white national women's mag focused on the issues of importance to black women. So if you're so concerned about seeing race and bias pick up copies at your local newstand or subscribe. Scholars owe a lot to Ebony and Jet because they have the best archival record of the black history and developed many fine black journalists when blacks couldn'[t get through the doors of white publications. These publications were a natural response to the exclusionary practices (racism and bias!) by the white mainstream media.

[FdeBear]

So what are you doing in the mean time? Stewing in bitterness?

[merle7]

What a beautiful family to represent our country that is all I have to say to !!!!

[DevilAdvocate]

aren't they great! I just can't wait until November so we ALL can love where we live and who runs the country.

[mypov123]

These covers are beautiful, and they are a wonderful family. A great representation of not only Black American families but ALL American families.

[neesy08]

What a great looking family! I hope it is not just the Black ones that have them on the cover. Vanity? Town & Country?

[sandtats]

The past month they've been on the covers of People and Us. Michelle has been in Vogue and Harpers Bazaar a couple of times already, though not the cover. And their one entire family interview just happenedd to be on Access Hollywood, not BET. Michelle just did a lengthy interview with a big magazine though I can't remember now which one! Huff had a piece on it yesterday; should still be up here, somewhere

[fishsandwichesr2good]

Tell me again why the comparison between BO and rag cover fixtures Brittney Hilton was not dead on?

[allonfla]

EXCUSE ME DEAR - Essence and Ebony are not flimsy magazines. they cover serious issues in the black community. Sorry, but the McCains just don't sell. May I also remind you, WHO in the world would NOT want the first (likely) black family in the white house on the cover of their magazine?

[Dreamers101]

Brittney Hilton? Is that a new actress on the seen?

[LABC]

So Ebony and Essence are rags? thanks fishasshat, glad to see that knuckle dragging accident you were in didn't prevent you from typing.

[mypov123]

Jealous much?

[DallasMike]

Great come back

[Aabby]

Britney did not go to Harvard Law as far as I know.

[meanguy]

britney thinks Harvard Law is Jude's brother...

[edwarvir]

Beautiful!

[260Parkway]

What a lovely family is all I have to say.