Analyse the representation of Beyonce has been mediated across the different magazine covers

Selection – What type of image do you think the magazine editor has selected for Beyoncé?

Construction - Describe how Beyoncé's image has been constructed on the magazine through the
mise en scene? (analyse how the construction represents Beyoncé)

Anchorage – How does the anchorage text reinforce the representation to the audience?

Who is the target audience and how are they being targeted?

For the magazine cover of ‘Seventeen (2003)’ I think that the magazine editor has selected this
image of Beyoncé as they wanted to show Beyoncé as happy and confident and they also wanted to
showcase her beauty. This representation is constructed through her hair and make-up which has
been specifically styled to fit a care free, fun and young Beyoncé. she also has a happy facial
expression and her body language indicates that she is confidant. Additionally, the anchorage text or
the cover lines which highlight words such ‘Pretty looks for You’, ‘Party Hair’, ‘Best Body’ these cover
lines clearly link to the central image and this is emphasised through the way that the lines
referencing the reader are small and the lines linking to attributes of the central image are larger.
The target audience would be fans of Beyoncé and also fans of fashion in general as the magazine is
focused on beauty and fashion but the anchorage text can be applied to Beyoncé.

For the magazine cover of ‘Vibe (2007)’ I think that the magazine editor has selected this image of
Beyoncé as they wanted to show her in a more provocative or suggestive manner. This
representation is constructed for example through her costume which is a white shirt and a short
skirt and she has been purposefully soaked in water in order to make the shirt see through. We can
clearly see cleavage in this image and this has been done to show her in a more suggestive manner
which is the theme of the cover and this is further emphasised through her body language. She has
her hands pressed against what seems to be a tiled shower wall and is not standing straight
additionally her facial expression adds to this theme as she has her eyes partially closed and her
head tilted up. The anchorage text specifically emphasises the suggestive theme of the central image
specifically the text ‘Beyoncé Strips Down for The Summer’ The term strip links to her costume and
how revealing it is, and the other anchorage text which says ‘10+ Pages of B Like You’ve Never Seen
Her’ which indicates to the reader that the magazine will be a more personal revealing look into
Beyoncé. This again is targeted at fans of Beyoncé as the focus is on her and the anchorage text say
that it will be revealing unknown information about her. It also links to the male gaze theory and
voyeurism as she is styled like this for the pleasure of the male audience.

For the magazine cover of ‘Ebony (2009)’ I think that the magazine editor has selected this image of
Beyoncé as they wanted to show her in a more empowering, confident and serious fashion
additionally it represents her as proud of her heritage and background and as someone who has
reached great heights of success. This representation is constructed for example through her hair
which unlike the two previous covers is not straight and is in a curlier afro like fashion which again
has link to the publication ‘Ebony’ which is a publication that is focused on African Americans and
issues African Americans face. The magazine is representing her as proud of her background,
additionally she is represented as confident and serious through her body language as she has both
her hands clenched and her fist is up and the image is in almost black and white which connotes
defiance and power. The anchorage text helps hammer this down as it again represents Beyoncé as
being confidant and having reached great heights as the text says ‘Beyoncévolved’ and we can link
something evolving as something gets better. This is targeted at fans of Beyoncé as it represents her
as being evolved and the anchorage text implies that we will learn things that we did not know
about her.

For the magazine cover of ‘Profiles (2013)’ I think that the magazine editor has selected this image of
Beyoncé as they wanted to show her as music royalty. This representation is constructed for
example through her costume as she is wearing a crown and the sleeves of her dress are purple
which is a colour that connotes royalty additionally her make up mirrors Elizabethan royalty adding
to the theme of Beyoncé as a Queen. This is further emphasised through the anchorage text which
says ‘Queen Beyoncé Reigns Supreme’ this again references the central image and the idea of
Beyoncé as a queen of the music industry and someone who you should respect and aspire to be
like. This is targeted at Beyoncé fans as it represents her as a Queen which is how her fans see her.