It's not like Vogue regularly has black people on its cover. Maybe if it did, a lot of would-be critics would shrug off as coincidences the horribly unflattering (and unfair, I think) Jennifer Hudson cover and the latest cover featuring Lebron James and Gisele doing a King Kong and Fay Wray imitation. As it is, many black media and fashion insiders think this is a troubling trend. A handful of experts were polled on the issue by WWD, and most were not amused.

• Roy Johnson, editor in chief of Men's Fitness: "It's a reminder that as African-Americans, we have come very far to have an African-American male featured on the cover of Vogue, but we have very far to go to continue to educate people within our industry regarding the power of images and the potential impact they can have on their readers."

• Helena Andrews, culture editor of Politico.com, contributer to TheRoot.com: "It's not something that people are going to start picketing Vogue for, but it brings up the question of whether people are asking these questions in the editorial meeting of doing the sorts of images that conjure up those sorts of [feelings]. It's clear no one raised their hand during the editorial meeting and said, 'Wait a minute.'" [I'm with Helena -- Lauren]

• Emil Wilbekin, editor in chief of Giant: "That raises my eyebrow as to how African-Americans are portrayed on mainstream magazine covers. You would not show Charlize Theron or Scarlett Johansson screaming."

• Bethann Hardison, modeling and fashion veteran: "Every photograph that they've put of a dark person in recent years has never been good. Jennifer Hudson has her mouth wide open. LeBron James had his mouth wide open. We have other expressions."

• Vogue Spokesperson: "The Shape Issue celebrates athleticism from start to finish. LeBron is on the cover with Gisele because he is a basketball star and he was photographed in that spirit. We think LeBron and Gisele look amazing together on the cover."