Monday 4 February 2013

JOURNAL ENTRY #8: Semiotic Analysis of People magazine ad

       
When interpreting this magazine cover as a sign, the nature of celebrities and celebrity status is also highlighted. It displays a celebrity gay couple with their new baby. The headline is titled "Elton's Baby" and he is the one holding it in the ad, which seems to show that he is the "mother" in their relationship, and David Furnish is the "father" beside them both. In reality they are both fathers, and they share the fatherhood so there isn't necessarily a "mother" in the relationship. This questions masculinity because as Elton John is holding the baby, he comes off as less masculine. It almost seems as if if readers don't want to look at the exclusive interview and photos of the gay couple and baby, they can resort to "16 pages of hot photos" mainly regarding women. If people were to see this magazine in a local store, they would most likely not want to get it just because it's a gay couple with a baby. But there are countless magazines of nearly naked men women on covers and they seem to be circulating around more. I think just the fact that Elton John has a husband affects his celebrity status greatly and the majority of people just judge him. In addition, there is only one common race especially when associated to celebrities. Ultimately this magazine cover would be portrayed as controversial.

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