Gabourey Sidibe: Not Upset About Vanity Fair Cover Slight

The Internet and a few black film industry experts are in an uproar over Vanity Fair's "New Hollywood" cover, which doesn't feature a single woman of color.

Black Voices previously reported that famed photographer Annie Leibovitz shot the nine young women, which include Abbie Cornish, Kristen Stewart, Carey Mulligan, Amanda Seyfried, Rebecca Hall, Mia Wasikowska, Anna Kendrick, Emma Stone, and Evan Rachel Wood. Only Kendrick and Mulligan garnered 2010 Oscar nominees out of the bunch.

So who was missing?

'Avatar' star Zoe Saldana, who made the cut in 2008, was perhaps the greatest breakout star of the year -- starring in two of the biggest blockbusters ("Star Trek' and 'Avatar').

Best actress Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe of 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire' delivered one of the most critically acclaimed performances of the year. And her co-star Paula Patton was no slouch either.

Forgotten 'American Violet' actress Nicole Beharie is worthy of note, and so is last year's beautiful newcomer Freida Pinto (of 'Slumdog Millionire' ).

But they were obviously persona non grata when it came to Leibovitz's camera lens.

In response to the widespread criticism, Vanity Fair issued a statement. Vanity Fair's Hollywood cover has always been a reflection of Hollywood and the industry. Generally, as is the case this year, it¹s made up of young actresses who already have a few films to their credit and will be appearing in more movies in the coming months."

Still, some are unconvinced that there's not some wide-spread discrimination at play.

Former 'Extra' host Tanika Ray, who is gearing up to host the hour-long TV Guide Network special ''Precious: The Story Behind the Movie,' is one of those people.

She told BV Buzz, "There is a lack of diversity in Hollywood. Just look at the cover of Vanity Fair this month celebrating the fresh hot new talent of Hollywood. There isn't a trace of melanin on the entire three-page fold-out cover. It's insulting in 2010, which makes shows like the TV Guide Network special even more important to help break down that wall of exclusion and film segregation."

Now, Sidibe is commenting on not making the cover.

The 26-year-old told Shaun Robinson of 'Access Hollywood' at Monday's Oscar nominee luncheon that she initially was taken aback by not getting a call to participate in the now-controversial photo shoot.

"At first I thought, 'hmm, should I be there?'" she said. "Then, I very quickly got over it. I think if I were a part of that shoot I would have felt a little left out anyway," perhaps hinting at the lack of color and diversity in body size of the women who did make the cover.

Sidibe was, however, featured inside the magazine. And she's just as grateful for the recognition.

"I mean, I come from a world where I'm not on covers and I'm not in magazines at all and so I was happy to be in the magazine."

She is taking it all in stride, and added, "I wasn't on it, and I'm excited to be mentioned anywhere, and it doesn't matter to me where I'm not mentioned."

Sidibe is gracing the cover of the March edition of the black-owned Ebony magazine.