Behind the making of an illustrated salute to LGBTQ stars.
How do you gin up a celebration in the midst of a global pandemic?
For our annual Pride issue, EW editors turned to the power of art.
Illustration by Jack Hughes for EW
Our June cover is always a salute to LGBTQ entertainers.
But this year we were faced with some pretty daunting hurdles.
But marking the month with some big, elaborate, social distance shattering photo shoot was definitely out.
Top row, from left: Janelle Monáe, Freddie Mercury, Kate McKinnon, Ricky Martin, John Waters, Dan Levy; Middle row, from left: Ellen DeGeneres, Rock Hudson, Laverne Cox, Lily Tomlin, Kristen Stewart, Lil Nas X, George Takei, Ryan Murphy, Cynthia Nixon, Marlene Dietrich; Bottom row, from left: RuPaul, Elton John.Illustration by Jack Hughes for EW
Our inspiration came from the great murals and magazine covers of the 1920s and 1930s.
“As an LGBTQ+ artist, I know how important representation in the media is,” says Hughes.
lang on the cover.
But that’s only the beginning.
We hope it lifts your spirits in trying times.
And as Hughes says, we hope it inspires the storytellers of the future.
“The fight isn’t over,” says the artist.
“We must carry on the work of those before us.”
For more fromEntertainment Weekly’s celebration of LGBTQ pop culture,order the June issue now.
