Vanity Fair’s annual Hollywood issue assembles some of the brightest talents in the film industry, and this year’s offering is no exception. But what’s different this time is that the 2016 cover (shot, as tradition dictates, by Annie Leibovitz) has a stunning and generation-spanning female line-up, aged between 21 and 78.
The cover features all five of this year’s nominees for the Best Actress Academy Award – that’s Brie Larson, Saoirse Ronan, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett and Charlotte Rampling, if you’re not already up to speed – alongside Hollywood legends like Jane Fonda, Helen Mirren and Diane Keaton (who wore her own clothes for the shoot rather than a standard issue ball gown – kudos.) Also joining the line-up are How To Get Away With Murder star Viola Davis, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, The Danish Girl’s Alicia Vikander and rising star Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
In the midst of the controversy surrounding Hollywood’s race problem, and the white-washing of the Oscars nominations in particular, a diverse cover featuring actresses of different ethnic backgrounds and ages feels like a step (albeit a small one) in the right direction. It’s undoubtedly a carefully considered move on the part of the magazine: last year’s Hollywood line-up featured only two people of colour, and was just 40 % female.
Vanity Fair’s fashion and style director Jessica Diehl said ‘This year the group of women was astonishing. We wanted to find a way to make it not only an occasion but also timeless, for each of them to stand out individually. It might make you think of Sargent’s Madame X – the way we showed them in various silhouettes but united them by colour. That was our way to bring them together visually – when obviously they are quite united in their talent.’
Who's who on the Vanity Fair Hollywood cover?
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
The 32-year-old actress starred opposite Will Smith in Concussion, and has just landed a lead role the Netflix re-boot of Channel Four's Black Mirror.
Lupita Nyong'o
Oscar winner Lupita most recently starred as Maz Kanata in the ridiculously successful Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Helen Mirren
Screen legend Helen Mirren needs no introduction. She’s currently starring in Trumbo, and recently picked up two Screen Actors Guild awards.
Alicia Vikander
Alicia has received nominations this awards season for both The Danish Girl and Ex Machina. Her red carpet style isn't half bad, either.
Brie Larson
2016 is Brie Larson’s year. The 26-year-old star has already won a Golden Globe, a Critics’ Choice award AND a SAG award for her performance in Room – all good omens for the Oscars later this month.
Saoirse Ronan
Irish actress Saoirse first shot to fame aged 13, thanks to her standout role opposite Keira Knightley in Atonement. Thanks to her Oscar and Golden Globe nominated turn in Brooklyn, she’s being recognised as one of Hollywood’s brightest rising stars.
Cate Blanchett
She already has more awards to her name than we could possibly mention, but Cate Blanchett looks set to add to her collection thanks to a clutch of Best Actress nominations for Carol.
Diane Keaton
Diane’s idiosyncratic style choice (a cravat, buttoned-up jacket and jaunty hat) has been one of the shoot’s biggest talking points. The screen legend is about to star opposite Jude Law in The Young Pope. (Yep, Jude Law is playing the actual Pope.)
Rachel Weisz
Rachel Weisz’s latest buzz-worthy role is in Youth, where she stars opposite Harvey Keitel and cover co-star Jane Fonda.
Jennifer Lawrence
J. Law bagged a Golden Globe for her role as mop magnate Joy Mangano in Joy, and she’s also a surprisingly good mime (as demonstrated in the Insta-vid below.) We’re hoping for more awards show antics with her new best pal, Amy Schumer later this month.
Charlotte Rampling
Legendary actress Charlotte has earned an Oscar nomination for her role in the heartbreaking 45 Years, and has recently starred on the small screen in addictive dramas Broadchurch and London Spy.
Jane Fonda
Actress, model and exercise video queen Jane Fonda may only appear in one scene in her new film Youth, but she still manages to steal the show as an ageing superstar who finds her power in on the wane. All hail.
Viola Davis
The How To Get Away With Murder star most recently won a SAG Award for her role as Annalise Keating, but you’ll also recognise her from her turns in The Help and Far From Heaven.
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