'People' Crowns Jennifer Aniston Most Beautiful Woman — But Folks Call Out a Big Problem
Since 1990, many actors and actresses have been dubbed the world's "Most Beautiful People" by People Magazine.
This year was no different: On Wednesday morning, the publication crowned Jennifer Aniston the Most Beautiful Woman 2016 — for the second time.
A photo posted by People Magazine (@people) on Apr 20, 2016 at 4:56am PDT
Since the list (which originally named men and women under the overarching title "Most Beautiful," but has now morphed into "Most Beautiful Woman") debuted almost 26 years ago, only three of the the magazine's choices — Halle Berry in 2003, Beyoncé in 2012 and Lupita Nyong'o in 2014 — have been women of color.
The "Most Beautiful" title is not to be confused with People's Sexiest Man Alive, which has been even more problematic, awarding the accolade to only one person of color (Denzel Washington) in its 30 years.
Not everyone is happy. Many folks have taken to Twitter to voice their concern with the choice. While most don't deny that Aniston is a beautiful woman, they believe that People missed out on an opportunity to highlight diversity. (Mic has reached out to People for comment.)
I like Jen but have y'all SEEN Priyanka Chopra? Or ANY woman of color for that matter? https://twitter.com/people/status/722755551462047744 ...
@people Not that I dont like Jen, I think her #Friends days are over and you need to get over her. So many beautiful #WOC out there.
@people, can a #WOC get this title?! Many had amazing years, including but limited to Volia & Taraji -- did they decline to be on the cover?
@APEntertainment @AP @people she's lovely, but diversity would nice sometimes.
No shade but @people seldom select women of color as the most beautiful woman and Im sorry but Jen An no way @tonibraxton is far more pretty
Jennifer Aniston was named "World's Most Beautiful" by @people. I could think of a handful of Black women/men more deserving.
It's not all backlash. Some are praising the magazine for featuring a 47-year-old woman as its Most Beautiful. Over the last decade, Sandra Bullock (in 2015) was the only other woman chosen over 45; the average age of the women featured as People's Most Beautiful over the years is 34.
No matter your feelings re: Jen, let's take a minute to applaud @people on the fact that they didn't name a 20 y.o.https://twitter.com/justjared/status/722767422415974400 ...
This is only other year besides last year (2015) where @people magazine have chosen a woman over the age of 45 to be #MostBeautiful
But with the cover boldly teasing "Jen's secret for staying younger," the magazine (rather frustratingly) encourages women to try and seek out youthfulness rather than embrace their age.
Do we still need this "contest"? A few have taken to Twitter to pose a separate yet also important question — why are we still crowning someone based on his or her appearance?
@people Jennifer? *yawn* Amal Clooney is the most beautiful "person" in the world inside and out. Time to put this archaic contest to bed
@APEntertainment @AP @people Why aren't we measuring success? Why do we continue to use "beauty" as measurement for women?
Anyone else out there think we've kind of evolved past the "Most Beautiful Woman" thing? @people, I know where you stand.
Who do you think should've been on the cover? We're with Nia Vardalos on this one:
Congratulations to all the beauties in @People. You missed one:pic.twitter.com/nX68JBhWM2