Amanda Lepore Was Cut From the ‘Astroworld’ Cover Because She Upstaged Everyone
This week, Travis Scott’s newest album, Astroworld came out — but there was a minor controversy. The Astroworld cover, photographed by famed photographer David LaChapelle, originally featured nightlife legend Amanda Lepore. But when the album came out Friday, Lepore was no longer on the Astroworld cover. Fans initially cried transphobia, but this weekend we found out the real reason she was cut: she upstaged everyone.
Earlier this week, David LaChapelle shared the original version of the Astroworld cover on his Instagram. But the final version of the cover featured the same shot, but with Lepore removed. Travis Scott was accused of being transphobic over the cover art change, but he insisted it was nothing to do with him — it was LaChapelle’s doing.
Amanda Lepore wasn’t mad about the change, though. On Wednesday, when the final Astroworld cover was posted to Travis Scott’s Instagram, she posted, “It was great being part of David LaChapelle’s incredible photograph of Travis Scott’s album cover, but I’m curious why I’m not on the picture Scott posted.”
LaChapelle jokingly wrote back, “Because you were a bad, bad girl, LOL. It’s not for any other reason.” When LaChapelle and Scott were accused of transphobia, though, LaChapelle fought back, saying the edited photo was “nothing to do with hating.”
But as the controversy continued, LaChapelle and Scott clarified the real reason Lepore was cut — she upstaged everyone. Lepore agreed, saying “A girl can’t help it! I’m too distracting for the eyes! I upstaged everyone in the photograph! … Oh well, I love David LaChapelle and Travis Scott! Love and kisses.”
And, yesterday, Scott broke his own silence with a lengthy Instagram post of his own, writing, “This is very important to me to speak up about: Growing up, I’ve been taught to accept everyone, not to cast people away but bring them in your home! I have nothing but respect for the LGBTQ community. I want to use my voice to make it clear that everyone on this planet is as equal and fucking awesome.” Scott also clarified that the booklet for Astroworld includes all the images they shot — including those with Amanda Lepore.
Which version of the Astroworld cover do you prefer?
