New Teen Vogue Editor Under Fire for Homophobic, Racist Tweets

The new editor in chief of Teen Vogue has apologized after staffers took issue with homophobic and racist tweets in her past, The Hill reports.

After Conde Nast, owner of Teen Vogue, announced last week that former Axios reporter Alexi McCammond would assume the role of editor in chief, over a dozen staffers released a statement expressing concern:

"We've built our outlet's reputation as a voice for justice and change – we take immense pride in our work and in creating an inclusive environment," the staff statement said. "In a moment of historically high anti-Asian violence and amid the on-going struggles of the LGBTQ community, we as the staff of Teen Vogue fully reject those sentiments."

Screenshots of McCammond tweets – which she had deleted after she apologized in 2019 when they first surfaced – were posted to Twitter. The tweets were originally made when McCammond was in college in 2011. In those tweets, she appears to use "gay" and "homo" as slurs in jest. In another tweet, she describes her college teaching assistant as a "stupid Asian." And in another, she says "now googling how to not wake up with swollen, asian eyes..."

Social media user chupsterette also shared a series of screenshots interspersed with statements about holding both McCammond and Conde Nast accountable.

Conde Nast defended their decision to hire McCammond, however, with a spokesperson saying "Throughout her career she has dedicated herself to being a champion for marginalized voices."

On Monday, McCammond emailed staff apologizing for her social media posts, saying, "You've seen some offensive, idiotic tweets from when I was a teenager that perpetuated harmful and racist stereotypes about Asian Americans.

Those tweets aren't who I am, but I understand that I have lost some of your trust, and will work doubly hard to earn it back. I want you to know I am committed to amplifying AAPI voices across our platforms, and building upon the groundbreaking, inclusive work this title is known for the world over."

Recently, McCammond was indirectly involved in another scandal involving her current boyfriend, former deputy press secretary TJ Ducklo. In February, when a Politico reporter asked about the relationship, Ducklo said "I will destroy you." He was suspended by the White House and later resigned.