Cosmopolitan to Launch in Armenia with Kim Kardashian on Cover
Posted 02/24/2011 by Lara
Whenever I’m asked my ethnicity and respond with ‘Armenian’, the usual reaction I get is ‘oh, like Kim Kardashian? Do you get that a lot?’
Yes, I get that a lot—and by the way she’s only half Armenian. Although clearly some type of poster child for all that is Armenia in the eyes of many Americans– so it should come as no surprise that when Cosmopolitan Magazine launches their Armenian edition in March, Kim Kardashian will grace the cover. The shocking part of course is that Cosmo is going into Armenia at all! Hrachuchi Utmazyan has been named editor of the publication, which will launch with an initial circulation of 5,000.
While it’s commonly known Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity, and the suspected landing spot of Noah’s Arc, it’s only in the past few years we discovered they we’re also the first to decent leather shoes and house the oldest known winery. Although those are rarely the claim to fame we account for and probably to Kourtney’s and Khloe’s dismay, neither are they.
“The Cosmopolitan brand has been very successful around the world and we’re pleased to be rolling out our 63rd edition this spring in Armenia,” says president and CEO of Hearst Magazines International Duncan Edwards. “Working with Media Partners, a very well-respected local publisher, we are confident that Cosmo will do well with Armenian women.”
In a country where the average salary is $300/month, Cosmo definitely sounds like a good investment (yes, mom, I’m being sarcastic). Who knows, maybe it will even inspire Kim to take her first trip there.
February 24th, 2011
10:29 am
Kim and her sisters are terrible ambassadors for Armenia and an embarassment to our race – sorry, did that come off as too harsh? On the other hand, what should we expect from Cosmo magazine? I’m horrified, frankly, of how that magazine might pervert women’s identity in Armenia the same as it does in the U.S. and anywhere else. It’s a sad day. (By the way, Hi Lara!)
February 25th, 2011
6:07 am
Wait a minute, not being a big fan of Kim or Cosmo, (maybe until recently) can we at least look at this from another point of view? Cosmo, as cheesy as it is at times had a huge role in liberating a lot of women around the world if not just sexually but empowering them to at least reflect on it. I’m all for beginning a conversation. Just look at the cover with this blog “what he thinks during sex” what is wrong with wanting to know that? or my favorite, “mind tricks that melt pounds” oh do I need that!
As far as Kim is concerned, yes the girl has made her name simply for her bootie and possibly for taking her clothes off sometimes. Yes, I hold that against her but what about everything else that she has done or possible could do with her 6 million followers? Does anyone remember bad girl Angelina Jolie? She’s a saintly mother and wife and an ambassador to the UN AND donated millions of dollars to worthy causes.
As Armenians let’s get off our high horses and stop judging people from narrow minded places. Yes we are proud christians but is it sacrilegious to want to be famous? Let’s give Kim a chance to clean up her act and do some good in this world and let’s give Armenians in Armenia the benefit of our doubt that they are smart enough to get the good advice from Cosmo and dump the bad. While I’m at it I would like to celebrate that we were picked by Cosmo to publish in Armenia, I thought we would never qualify with our backward minds
February 28th, 2011
7:50 pm
I’m divided on all of this. I actually have no issues with Kim, nor do I think she’s asked to be the national spokesperson for Armenia; and good for her for being proud of her roots and raising awareness. It is ironic though she’s the interpretation of the Armenian woman –does anyone in Armenia even know who she is? As for Cosmo going into Armenia, I am very surprised of all the Hearst publications, this would be the first. And I do find it to be somewhat of a leap. I do hope it has more fashion/beauty advice over sex, but then again that’s not Cosmo’s forte. But who knows, perhaps it will be different in Armenia. Or maybe they should offer international shipping since I’m sure there are 5,000 curious diaspora that would purchase them.