TV themed issues of fashion magazines brings two of my big loves together (I am still mourning the end of the Nylon’s annual TV celebration even though I’m now way older than the target demo) and Elle does one of the best. It has not been without a few issues in the past including the 2014 multi-cover selection that went in a different (albeit very beautiful) direction for Mindy Kaling as opposed to the other four (white) actresses. Last year saw them ditch this format opting to showcase only Lena Dunham, but thankfully for the 2016 issue they have returned to my preferred several recipients layout. And they have picked their cover stars well.
It is also interesting to note that while streaming platforms are definitely making their mark in a big way, when it comes to the shows these women represent network has three out of the five and cable has the other two.
First up the lady of the hour and winner of Best Actress in a Drama at the Golden Globes.
Taraji P. Henson was on our favorite magazine cover of 2015 and this is another powerful image that doesn’t go down the obvious ‘dress as a version of Cookie’ route. Fearless, sexy and making me want to invest in red leather.
All of the covers demand the viewer returns the strong gaze of the woman featured and Quantico’s Priyanka Chopra is serving up so much face. Tyra would be proud.
More hair touching and Julia Louis-Dreyfus might have had her ‘last fuckable day’ in this Amy Schumer sketch, but this is proving she is anything but (even if Hollywood thinks Maggie Gyllenhaal at 37 is too old to play the love interest of a 55 year old).
In fact Olivia Wilde at the age of 31 is the youngest of the cover stars proving that TV is the place to find interesting roles for woman (see also Keri Russell’s comments here).
Last but most definitely not least is another fantastic Viola Davis 2016 cover and while the other woman are giving off oh so serious facial expressions with a hint of knowing smirk from Olivia Wilde, I love that Davis is a full on smile shot.
I am pretty happy that because I get the digital issue I’m not going to have to decide which one I want as I’ll get all five – if I had to choose Taraji would probably edge out the rest by the narrowest of margins – and the issue is available on select newsstands from today (January 13) and nationwide on January 19. Stay tuned for our coverage of the celebration dinner that will take place January 20 and for behind-the-scenes Twitter/Instagram action follow #ELLEWITV on this day.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 