Anna Wintour Defends Kim Kardashian's Controversial Vogue Cover; Praises Reality Star, Kanye West (VIDEO)
Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour issued a statement on Friday regarding Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's cover shoot.
The British-born fashion icon, 64, denied reports claiming West, 36, pressured her to put Kardashian, 33, on the cover of the leading fashion publication. The controversial cover prompted mixed reactions on social networking sites and Wintour was quick to defend the Hollywood power couple.
"You may have read that Kanye begged me to put his fiancée on Vogue's cover. He did nothing of the sort," Wintour said in a statement obtained by Daily Mail U.K.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"The gossip might make better reading, but the simple fact of the matter is that it isn't true," she continued. "It was, I should add, entirely our idea to do it."
Kardashian, the reality TV star who rose to stardom in 2007 following the release of a sex tape, appears standing in front of West in an off-white wedding gown. The "Yeezus" rapper appears clutching his fiancee from behind while dressed in all black.
The cover was shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, it will appear on the April edition of the fashion publication.
"There's barely a strand of the modern media that the Kardashian Wests haven't been able to master, and for good reason," Wintour explained. "Kanye is an amazing performer and cultural provocateur, while Kim, through her strength of character, has created a place for herself in the glare of the world's spotlight, and it takes real guts to do that."
Baby North West also made her Vogue debut as a behind-the-scenes video shows the 9-month-old being photographed while dressed in adorable white outfits. At one point West, Kardashian and their daughter appear happy and relaxed while posing together for Leibovitz.
"This is such a dream come true!!! Thank you @VogueMagazine for this cover! O M GGGGGG!!! I can't even breath [sic]!" an evidently pleased Kardashian tweeted Friday.
The Vogue cover comes months after West openly complained about Kardashian's lack of recognition in the fashion world. Wintour is renowned for selecting iconic Hollywood stars such as Beyonce Knowles to cover the fashion publication, as well as Olympic athletes and even highly respected political figures like First Lady Michelle Obama.
"There's no way Kim Kardashian shouldn't be on the cover of Vogue. She's like the most intriguing woman right now. She's got Barbara Walters calling her like everyday," West told Radio host Ryan Seacrest in October.
The couple are set to wed in Paris on May 24 and insiders say the nuptials will be filmed by the E! network.
TO SEE KIM AND KANYE'S VOGUE COVER CLICK HERE
