Cosmo Magazine Fires ‘Bachelor’ Cover Model for Supporting ‘White Lives Matter’
Cosmopolitan Magazine has cancelled a cover after it was discovered the model involved once posed in apparel promoting the phrase “White Lives Matter.” The facts, however, aren’t quite as they seem.
The model was actually a contestant on ABC’s “The Bachelor,” Victoria Fuller, and the cover was part of a promotional tie-in to the show. Fuller has become a villain of sorts of the show, thanks in no small part to her diva behavior.
Her notoriety was likely why photos she once posed for are now coming back to haunt her. Pictures began circulating online showing Fuller wearing a cap with the abbreviation of the slogan “White Lives Matter.”
The picture was part of a promotion featuring several items with the phrase. Other pictures showed a t-shirt with the “White Lives Matter” phrase and a Confederate flag t-shirt.
‘White Marlins Matter’
The phrase featured on the apparel, however, has nothing to do with race relations. It is a reference to marlin fishing, and was released by the company “We Love Marlins.” The fish come in white, blue, and black varieties, and the phrase was in reference to white marlin, while playing off of the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
Regardless of the intent, once the pictures began circulating online, outrage ensued.
Fuller attempted to downplay the situation in a social media post. “The company ‘We Love Marlins’ is in support of catching white, blue & black marlins and releasing them back into the wild,” Fuller wrote on Instagram. “In regards to a sensitive topic, I come from a very diverse background & am in support of all races! Virginia Beach is a VERY large fishing town where marlin tournaments are held every year! Glad to clear this up.”
Apology
Fuller’s explanation did little to calm the outrage, so she issued an apology. “I’m sorry if you or anyone else’s feelings were hurt,” she wrote in the statement. “That was never my intention.” She acknowledged the phrase could be offensive to many.
“My intention was only to support an endangered species,” she said. “I want to say that I unequivocally reject the beliefs of the white lives matter movement or any propaganda that supports racism of any kind. I would like to specifically apologize to people of color that are affected by racism daily. It was never my intention to add fuel to the racial fire in this country.”
“I apologize immensely,” she wrote later. “It was never my intention to lessen this matter.”
The controversy came just as Cosmo Magazine was set to release a digital cover online featuring Fuller. Her apology, however, did little to ease Cosmo’s concerns. After the outrage refused to subside, the magazine cancelled the cover. “Unequivocally, the White Lives Matter movement does not reflect the values of the Cosmo brand,” editor-in-chief Jessica Pels said in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and any cause that fights to end injustices for people of color.”
The print version of Cosmo will feature pictures of Fuller, but only on the inside. The magazine had already gone to print when the controversy went viral, so it was too late to remove her, Cosmo staffers said.
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Source: E Online
