As the first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, posed for a Vogue photoshoot amid an ongoing war in her country, the backlash poured in.
Initially, the 44-year-old steered clear of the public eye at the start of the war, moving with her two children from one safe house to the next. However, now her choice to take the spotlight with a ‘glamourous’ Vogue photoshoot is garnering criticism.
Featured on the cover of Vogue’s online edition, Olena Zelenska, a screenwriter by profession, spoke of her role as first lady and the impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine. She spoke of her visit to the United States and address to US Congress to request more arms.
Speaking of funding. Netizens had opinions about that.
The U.S. gave $65 billion to Ukraine and all that we got in return was Zelensky and his wife on the cover of Vogue.
— Ben Owen™️ (@hrkbenowen) July 28, 2022
Reviews in the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olena Zelenska posing for a photoshoot amid war have many calling them out for hypocrisy.
https://twitter.com/Levi_godman/status/1552031687365861376
Zelensky has the time to pause for Vogue while he's lossing thousands of soldiers everyday. You can't get out of touch more than this. pic.twitter.com/JLMYR53WVg
— The Manifesto (@jaysmanifesto) July 28, 2022
Others are simply shocked as to why a public figure would do this amid an ongoing war.
Did taxpayer money fund Zelensky's Vogue covershoot?
Not a dime more for Ukraine.
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) July 27, 2022
His country is burning and he is doing photoshoot for Vogue magazine, this is Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky pic.twitter.com/I0FQ1OV5SR
— Boiled Anda (@AmitLeliSlayer) July 28, 2022
Many called the move insensitive.
Looking at Zelensky's Vogue photoshoot with my internet edge lord lens: I guess that means Ukraine getting invaded and millions of Ukrainians having their lives upended, forced to flee, cities reduced to rubble, and tens of thousands of people killed is no big deal.
— Hari/ഹരി/हरि/هري (@HariPrasad91) July 27, 2022
Putin is pounding Odessa port with missiles right now.
Nearly 1/4th of #Ukraine is already under Russian control.
So what? Liberal media’s darling #Zelensky and his wife Olena have launched a blistering counterattack in Vogue with a photoshoot. pic.twitter.com/soAbdI8ofd— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) July 27, 2022
One Twitter user even called it a failed PR scheme.
Not sure I've ever seen a PR scheme backfire as spectacularly as Vogue's Zelensky photoshoot.
— Steven Salaita (@stevesalaita) July 28, 2022
Clearly what was supposed to soothe the angst among war-affected Ukrainians has led to global backlash instead. Turns out Lady Olena Zelenska’s Vogue photoshoot is the public appearance people didn’t need or ask for.
