Taraji took to her Facebook page Wednesday to rant about being purposely left out of TV Guide’s cover shot, as she is the leading lady in her night drama series, “Person of Interest”. Now, TV Guide has fired back.
Debra Birnbaum, the Editor-in-Chief of TV Guide Magazine says, that they never intended on focusing on Taraji’s storyline for their cover story. Ever.
Debra Birnbaum: “I made an editorial decision to do a story about the relationship between the two male characters on ‘Person of Interest’ and that’s who I was going to put on the cover. That has been my decision all along, ever since I saw the pilot. We’re certainly fans of Taraji Henson and her storyline on the show was never intended to be the focus of our cover story. I don’t know where there was a misunderstanding about this, but it’s been clear to everyone from the start. I don’t make decisions on who is put and not put on the cover based on race or gender.”
“This week’s cover September 26 issue features the three stars of ‘Charlie’s Angels’ — Minka Kelly, Annie Illonzeh and Rachael Taylor. We are not pursuing a cover of ‘Person of Interest’ at this time.”
This was in response to Taraji’s now erased Facebook message that read:
WOW!!!! TV Guide is NOT including me on the cover with my cast members……..I am the female lead of a 3 member cast and I’m not included on the cover!!!!!! Do you see the shit I have to deal with in this business…..I cram to understand!!!!
So TV Guide has decided to drop the “Person of Interest” cover all together — which originally only featured Taraji’s co-stars Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson. They’ll now be releasing a new cover story featuring “Charlie’s Angels.” And all three of the Angel ladies will be on the cover shot.
