Teen Vogue staffers revolt over new editor-in-chief’s ‘racist, homophobic’ tweets
Teen Vogue’s new editor-in-chief, Alexi McCammond, speaks at Politicon 2018 (Michael S. Schwartz/Getty)
A group of Teen Vogue staffers are revolting against newly hired editor-in-chief Alexi McCammond over recently resurfaced “racist, homophobic” tweets she wrote in college.
Teen Vogue’s parent company Condé Nast announced on Wednesday (5 March) that former Axios reporter Alexi McCammond had been tapped to lead the fashion title, which frequently tackles political issues.
The news led more than 20 members of the magazine‘s staff to write a letter of protest highlighting McCammond’s “past racist and homophobic tweets” which she deleted in 2019.
“As more than 20 members of the staff of Teen Vogue, we’ve built our outlet’s reputation as a voice for justice and change – we take immense pride in our work and in creating an inclusive environment,” their statement read.
“That’s why we have written a letter to management at Condé Nast about the recent hire of Alexi McCammond as our new editor-in-chief in light of her past racist and homophobic tweets.
“We’ve heard the concerns of our readers, and we stand with you. In a moment of historically high anti-Asian violence and amid the on-going struggles of the LGBTQ community, we as the staff of Teen Vogue fully reject those sentiments.”
The letter ended with staffers hoping “an internal conversation will prove fruitful in maintaining the integrity granted to us by our audience”.
A note from Teen Vogue’s staff: pic.twitter.com/prPhlhh2oV
— ???? ??????? (@SatansJacuzzi) March 8, 2021
McCammond publicly apologised for the offending tweets in 2019 when they first came to light, insisting that they “aren’t who I am”. A number of tweets, published in 2011, saw her using anti-Asian language.
“Today I was reminded of some past insensitive tweets, and I am deeply sorry to anyone I offended,” she wrote at the time. “I have since deleted those tweets as they do not reflect my views or who I am today.”
The offending tweets resurfaced on Sunday (7 March) after Diana Tsui, editorial director at The Infatuation, reposted them on Instagram.
“I’m tired of big media organisations pretending to give a damn about diversity and inclusion,” she said.
Tsui called McCammond a “questionable hire” for the left-wing publication and criticised her for using the word “insensitive” instead of “racist” in her 2019 apology.
View this post on Instagram
In a statement to CNN Business on Monday (8 March), Condé Nast chief communications officer Joe Libonati defended the decision to hire McCammond while pointing out that she had apologised for the social media posts.
“Alexi McCammond was appointed editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue because of the values inclusivity, and depth she has displayed throughout her journalism,” the company said in a statement.
“Throughout her career she has dedicated herself to being a champion for marginalised voices.”
Alexi McCammond has been contacted for comment.
