Instead of using actual Paralympians, Vogue Brazil photoshopped able-bodied models
In order to promote the Paralympics, most media outlets are featuring actual Paralympians.
But Vogue Brazil decided to take things in a slightly different, more questionable direction. For their latest photo campaign to promote the games, the magazine Photoshopped two able-bodied models, Cleo Pires and Paulo Vilhena, to look like they had physical disabilities. Photo editors removed Pires' arm and Vilhena's leg to look like actual Paralympians Renate Leite and Bruna Alexandre.
Both models are reportedly ambassadors for the Brazilian Paralympics committee, and each has posted screenshots of the athletes on their personal Instagram pages.
The campaign has been loudly criticized by disability advocates and their allies for failing to include actual Paralympians. Many advocates in the community are pushing for increased representation in media, and Vogue Brazil's latest campaign felt both regressive and familiar.
Still, others noted that both of the Paralympians were in the studio at the time the cover was shot, and took a photo with the models.
On her Instagram page, Paralmypian Bruna Alexandre came to the defense of the campaign:
"Personally, I have been clear that I am so proud to be part of this campaign that the magazine #Vogue began to publish the first pictures of this beautiful work. Our Ambassadors Paralympics Cleo Pires and Paulo Vilhena, helped to intensify and spread the campaign aiming to increase visibility to the Paralympic Movement and gathering the Brazilian fans to be present at the Paralympic Games Rio 2016."
People with disabilities are some of the most underrepresented in media. A 2016 study by Ruderman White Paper found that 95% percent of characters on the top 10 shows on American television do not have a character with a disability, even though one in five Americans do.
A 2012 study even found that diversity increases people's willingness to shop.
The Paralympics run from September 7-18th in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
BONUS: Corgi tea party
Heather was the Web Trends reporter at Mashable NYC. Prior to joining Mashable, Heather wrote regularly for UPROXX and GOOD Magazine, was published in The Daily Dot and VICE, and had her work featured in Entertainment Weekly, Jezebel, Mic, and Gawker. She loves small terrible dogs and responsible driving. Follow her on Twitter @wear_a_helmet.
