Why So Gloomy? Anne Hathaway Makes an Underwhelming Return to the Cover of Vogue

Throughout 2025, a select few of Anna Wintour’s cover selections for American Vogue have consisted of old favorites. Wintour, who announced last month she is to step down from the role of editor-in-chief, has welcomed back the likes of Gigi Hadid and Hailey Bieber with open arms as Vogue cover girls. Next to make a return to the cover of Vogue is Anne Hathaway. Thirteen years after her last (for December 2012), the American actress reunites with the famed photographer and Vogue regular Annie Leibovitz for the occasion. In the August 2025 cover image, Hathaway is dressed by stylist Tabitha Simmons wearing a floral ensemble from Sarah Burton’s debut collection for Givenchy.

“She looks like she caught a flu or something,” immediately noted Lola71 upon checking out the cover.

“Such soulless photography,” YourMonster critiqued.

Thiago added: “Annie’s photography is criminal at this point.”

“It’s so gloomy. Anne has such a warm presence, and this doesn’t do her justice,” scolded Marc10.

Also deeply underwhelmed was vogue28. “The lighting, post-production, and just the overall photography from Annie Leibovitz is abysmal here. Leibovitz has sucked the life out of Anne Hathaway. Such a glum, sombre, and miserable-looking cover for August,” they complained.

“This is so dreadful. If the intention was to try to make Sarah Burton’s Givenchy happen, they failed miserably. None of this is aspirational: the lighting, the mood, or the styling. What a way to make someone as beautiful as Anne Hathaway look lifeless,” expressed forum member ReneSanchez.

Yet not everyone was of the same thinking. “I like it! It’s a little gloomy for summer, but I don’t mind too much. Always happy to see Anne,” reasoned LastNight.

“Anne Hathaway looks absolutely beautiful on the cover,” admired MModa.

See more of Anne Hathaway from the Vogue August 2025 cover shoot and join the conversation, here.