GQ "Glee" Photos: Dianna Agron Apologizes for Racy Shoot
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NEW YORK (CBS) "Glee" actress Dianna Agron has taken to her blog to pen a lengthy response to the controversy surrounding the racy photo shoot she and co-stars Lea Michele and Cory Monteith did for GQ magazine's November issue.
The 24-year-old apologized to anyone who may have been offended by the photos, writing, "In the land of Madonna, Britney, Miley, Gossip Girl, other public figures and shows that have pushed the envelope and challenged the levels of comfort in their viewers and fans...we are not the first. Now, in perpetuating the type of images that evoke these kind of emotions, I am sorry."
"If you are hurt or these photos make you uncomfortable, it was never our intention. And if your eight-year-old has a copy of our GQ cover in hand, again I am sorry. But I would have to ask, how on earth did it get there?" she continued.
"I am twenty-four years old. I have been a pretty tame and easy-going girl my whole life," she also wrote. "Nobody is perfect, and these photos do not represent who I am."The inspiration for the GQ photos, she explained, was "a heightened version 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," she said, later adding, "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."
The images, shot by photographer Terry Richardson, showed Agron and Michele in their underwear, licking lollypops and striking sexy poses. Both actresses are 24, but play high school students on the Fox series. Monteith was also featured in the photos, but remained clothed.
Some have questioned whether the pictures are inappropriate, since the two portray teenagers on the show. The Parents Television Council released a statement Wednesday saying the shoot "borders on pedophilia." "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric also questioned the images, saying they were "very adult photos of young women who perform in a family show."
GQ Editor-in-Chief Jim Nelson told "The Insider" that the magazine stands by the editorial spread.
"The Parents Television Council must not be watching much TV these days and should learn to divide reality from fantasy," he said. "As often happens in Hollywood, these 'kids' are in their 20s. Cory Monteith is almost 30! I think they're old enough to do what they want."