If you've managed to get through this week without reading something about the scandalous photo shoot the cast of Glee did for GQ, congratulations! You're the only one. The Terry Richardson pictures of Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron and a spread eagle Lea Michele that grace the cover and pages of November's edition of GQ have caused quite the ruckus, even to the point of being called "borderline pedophilia" by the Parents Television Council. Yeah, it's serious. With the P-word in the conversation, you just knew some crafty public relations spinning would occur. Click ahead for your morning manufactured controversy update.
"As often happens in Hollywood, these 'kids' are in their twenties. Cory Monteith is almost 30!" That's GQ editor-in-chief Jim Nelson, being pragmatic, if a little obtuse, while discussing the photos. To wit: Monteith, Agron and Michele are all well above age, but since they play underage kids on Glee it doesn't take a genius to see what Richardson was going for.
That's something that Agron would probably agree with. The budding star took to her Tumblr to write in-length about the GQ cover and her feelings on the controversy.
For GQ, they asked us to play very heightened versions of our school characters. A 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' version. At the time, it wasn't my favorite idea, but I did not walk away. I must say, I am trying to live my life with a sharpie marker approach. You can't erase the strokes you've made, but each step is much bolder and more deliberate. I'm moving forward from this one, and after today, putting it to rest. I am only myself, I can only be me. These aren't photos I am going to frame and put on my desk, but hey, nor are any of the photos I take for magazines. Those are all characters we've played for this crazy job, one that I love and am so fortunate to have, each and every day. If you asked me for my dream photo shoot, I'd be in a treehouse, in a wild costume, war-paint and I'd be playing with my pet dragon. Until then.....
If Agron ever leaves Glee, she could have long career ghostwriting songs for Miley Cyrus. Anyway, there you have it, Gleeks and horndogs alike. Case closed?
· GQ Editor on 'Glee' Photos: 'They're Old Enough to Do What They Want' [PopEater]
· 'Glee's' Dianna Agron Says GQ Photos 'Do Not Represent Who I Am' [Zap2it]