Why Nicole Kidman Was Absent From Era-Defining Vogue Cover

Caroline Frost
·1-min read

It was an era-defining moment when departing Vogue UK editor Edward Enninful gathered together 40 of the most famous faces to have graced the cover of his magazine for a farewell group shot.

Famous faces on the March 2024 issue include veterans Oprah Winfrey and Jane Fonda, supermodels Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Kate Moss and Linda Evangelista, actresses Jodie Comer, Anya Taylor-Joy and tennis star Serena Williams.

More from Deadline

The Daily Mail reports that the photoshoot was done at Highline Stages in New York’s Meatpacking District, in early December 2023.

One star noticeable by her absence was Nicole Kidman, who – it transpires – was unable to attend because the end of the writers’ strike meant she had to return to filming duty on her next project, Birthday Girl.

Questions were also raised over the absence of Meghan Markle, who joined forces with Enninful back in September 2019 to guest-edit an issue of the magazine. The reason given was that only those stars who have previously been on the cover were included.

One insider told the Daily Mail the logistics involved in bringing together such a celebrated flock were similar to “almost as much planning as D-Day.” Miley Cyrus was one famous face who went the extra mile to be involved, flying 5,000 miles by private jet to New York, to have her photograph taken for 15 minutes.

Enninful was appointed editor-in-chief of British Vogue in 2017 but stepped down after a short tenure in 2023. He is quoted in the Daily Mail reflecting: “I never expected all 40 to turn up.”

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Latest stories