LeBron James’ Vanity Fair Cover Gives Us Opulence + a Refreshing Counter-Narrative to Stereotypes

The Vanity Fair cover images serve a healthy dose of Black life as many of us experience it, while also giving voice to Blackness that avoids traditional media depictions of tragedy, strife, poverty and violence.

Last week, Black Twitter went absolutely berserk over Vanity Fair’s recent cover story on LeBron James and his family. Social media users were not only in awe of the breathtaking photos in the feature but also of the representation of Black excellence that is not as common in mainstream media as some would hope. Photographer Gillian Laub nailed a literal picture-perfect spread that was an extreme departure from the hyper-sexed, violent, and overly aggressive mediated images of Blackness that are commonplace throughout mainstream media, social media, film, and television.

Love him or hate him, Lebron James is not playing any games. He is entering his 20th season in the NBA while firmly securing his place as a billionaire. On top of all this, his sons Bryce and Bronny are making names for themselves in the basketball world. With Bronny going to college and Bryce going into his second year at Sierra Canyon. Last but certainly not least, Savannah James is not playing the role of a complacent WAG — eating off the fruit of her superstar NBA hubby’s labor. A businesswoman and philanthropist in her own right, Savannah founded the I PROMise Makeover — an annual event providing underprivileged teens with prom dresses in 2018. The LeBron James Family Foundation has also donated $41 million of scholarship money to University of Akron students.

Needless to say, the James family is making major moves and building a legacy, which is why Vanity Fair chose to cover the family for their upcoming October/November issue. And the images released were nothing short of pure opulence. One of the pictures included Bronny, Bryce, Zhuri, Lebron, and Savannah — posed in front of art from the Nino Mier Gallery in their dining room. In the stunning photo LeBron, Savannah, Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri are wearing Gucci, styled by Matthew Henson.