10 Weird Facts About Vanity Fair's Annual Hollywood Issue


The cover of the 2012 Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue, out Feb. 7, was revealed on Tuesday. While most of the faces on the fold-out spread are unrecognizable, the format is as old as CK1 perfume. Ever since Annie Leibowitz began assembling the group shots in the mid '90s not much has changed beyond the subjects. Sometimes they're legends, sometimes they're breakout stars, sometimes they're male, mostly they're female, but the rest is fairly predictable. Here are some things you can expect from your annual cover.


Fact 1: No women of color on the actual cover of the issue. This year, as in years past, they are relegated to a skimpy outfit in the center flap or pushed the very back flap. 1999 was the only exception, when Thandie Newton joined Adrien Brody, Monica Potter and Reese Witherspoon on the first flap.


Fact 2: Based on past "newcomers" issues, the odds that at least one person on this current cover isn't going to be more famous than they are at this minute is 100%


Fact 3: You don't want to be the very last person on the back flap. That position has got some seriously bad karma. Lindsay Lohan occupied the slot in 2003 and Ed Furlong in 1998. Mickey Rourke also held the position after his turn in The Fighter and it didn't do him any favors. Worse still, are those last in line actors we can hardly believe were ever in the magazine at all: Skeet Ulrich, Barry Pepper, Sarah Wynter, Fairuza Balk.


Fact 4: The spreads tend to rely on the "Old Hollywood" theme. Big ball gowns are movie set pieces are the fall back for female-centric spreads. But on occasion, the theme will take a cue from the ad campaigns of the moment. In 1999, the cover (see the photo in fact 1) could have been easily confused for a Gap ad. In 1995, the falling bra straps and monochrome colors was straight out of a Calvin Klein campaign.


Fact 5: The 2010 cover which featured absolutely no ethnic diversity was the lowest selling issue of the year when it debuted.


Fact 6: In 2007, four penguins made the third flap of the cover. That's how much more important it is to be on the front cover.


Fact 7: In 2006, the third flap was reserved for negative space.

Olsen twins in 2003.
Olsen twins in 2003.


Fact 8: 9 years before their sister, Elizabeth Olsen, is included in the Hollywood issue, Mary Kate and Ashley made the front flap of the now infamous teen issue.


Fact 9: Gwyenth Paltrow has been featured in the annual issue more than any other actor.

The 1996 cover Leo would probably like to forget.
The 1996 cover Leo would probably like to forget.


Fact 10: This is a really silly picture of Leonardo DiCaprio.

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