Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler, Allison Williams and Zooey Deschanel all landed the cover of the February issue of Elle magazine, but one cover is unlike the rest.
If you guessed Kaling's cover is the standout of the four, you are correct. While Poehler, Williams and Deschanel are shown in a full-length body shot in color, Kaling is cropped, shown in black and white.
The covers have stirred up controversy for Elle, with some readers asking why is Kaling's cover so different from the others. However, the fashion magazine stands by their decision.
"Mindy looks sexy, beautiful and chic. We think it is a striking and sophisticated cover and are thrilled to celebrate her in our Women in TV Issue," Elle said in a statement.
Kaling also didn't mind the cover, and took to Twitter to address the social media backlash.
"I love my @ELLEmagazine cover. It made me feel glamorous & cool. And if anyone wants to see more of my body, go on thirteen dates with me," Kaling tweeted.
Wishing for more skin on my @ELLEmagazine cover? Chris Messina & I are naked on a brand new #themindyproject tonight, ya pervs! 930/830 FOX
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) January 7, 2014
However, this isn't the first time Elle magazine has been accused of covering up a cover girl's body that isn't a size two. Comedic actress Melissa McCarthy landed the cover of Elle magazine's November 2013 issue, but wore an oversized jacket, which June Thomas, a writer for Slate.com, thought was a blatant attempt to hide her curves.
"McCarthy's hair covers a quarter of her gorgeous face, and with her hands stuffed deep into her coat pockets, the only visible flesh is a tiny triangle between the coat's lapels and the briefest glimpse of calf," Thomas wrote. "Perhaps photographer Thomas Whiteside only knows how to photograph the usual stick insect models, because he clearly has no clue how to highlight McCarthy's curves."
The fashion magazine released a statement about McCarthy's cover:
"On all of our shoots, our stylists work with the stars to choose pieces they feel good in, and this is no different: Melissa loved this look, and is gorgeous on our cover. We are thrilled to honor her as one of our Women in Hollywood this year."
