Acceptable uses of quotation marks include titles like “stable genius” Donald Trump or “self-made billionaire” Kylie Jenner. An unacceptable use? Just take a look at GQ’s latest cover featuring “Woman” of the Year, Serena Williams.
Yup, that happened — and people are upset about it.
The magazine caused outrage on Monday for featuring a controversial design choice on the tennis superstar’s cover that left many scratching their heads and pounding their fists.
Video: Topless Serena Touches Herself For Breast Cancer Awareness!
This year, GQ released four covers featuring three “Men of the Year” — Michael B. Jordan, Henry Golding, and Jonah Hill — and one “Woman of the Year,” as per tradition since 2003, Ms. Williams.
Williams’ cover shows the athlete standing powerfully in a long-sleeve black turtleneck bodysuit. Next to her face, the word “Men” in “Men of the Year” is crossed out, with the word “Woman” scribbled in handwritten font in its place… and put in quotation marks:
Announcing GQ's Men (and Woman) of the Year 2018: @michaelb4jordan, @henrygolding, @jonahhill, and @serenawilliams (featuring handwriting by @virgilabloh) https://t.co/EpG3lKCJ3r #GQMOTY pic.twitter.com/6MgczSxSpq
— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) November 12, 2018
Critics immediately swarmed social media to voice their thoughts, with some pointing out that past GQ Women of the Year covers did not have the word in quotation marks.
Those "quotation marks" though…
I'm not sure if that sits well with me. https://t.co/H8bCs79fW0
— Angie Greaves (@AngieGreaves) November 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/e_alexjung/status/1062013753686925314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1062013753686925314&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fsports%2Fserena-williams-gq-women-of-the-year-cover-backlash%2F
GQ’s research manager Mick Rouse eventually clarified the cover’s stylistic choice, explaining on Twitter that the cover was handwritten by Virgil Abloh, the artist who also designed Williams’ U.S. Open outfits and apparently loves to style his words with unnecessary quotes:
Because it was handwritten by Virgil Abloh of Off-White, who has styled everything in quotation marks as of late (see Serena's US Open apparel that he designed)
— Little King Trash Mick (@mickrouse) November 12, 2018
Still, many fans were outraged on Williams’ behalf, seeing that the 37-year-old has previously opened up about dealing with comments on her muscular physique supposedly making her seem manly.
I can’t believe no one at GQ thought perhaps with misogynistic and violent trans insults that Serena (and Venus) have dealt with for the last almost 20 years, to not put woman in quotation marks. Editorial rooms are a fucking disaster, all over this country. I’m offended for her pic.twitter.com/97yaP18etC
— a princess diana stan account (@seabethree) November 12, 2018
Do YOU think GQ should say “sorry” for this cover? Sound off in the comments!
[Image via Derrick Salters/WENN]
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