Advertisement

'Self' editor apologizes after the magazine mocks cancer survivor's tutu

The Self editor says she is "personally mortified" over the way the magazine used the photo.

By Annie Martin
Monika Allen (right) in her tutu. (Glam Runner Facebook)
Monika Allen (right) in her tutu. (Glam Runner Facebook)

Self editor Lucy Danziger has issued an apology to Monika Allen after the magazine mocked the cancer survivor's tutu in their April issue.

Allen wore the tutu as part of her Wonder Woman costume when she ran the L.A. Marathon last year. Allen had been diagnosed with brain cancer, and ran the race even though she was undergoing chemotherapy at the time.

Advertisement

The tutu was something Allen made for her company, Glam Runner. She makes and sells the pieces herself, and donates the proceeds to charity.

Allen told NBC 7 that she was thrilled when the magazine contacted her and asked her permission to use the photo. She was later "stunned and offended" when she saw the photo was used for the magazine's "BS Meter."

"People think these froufrou skirts make you run faster," Self said next to the photo of Allen on the "Lame" side of the BS Meter. "Now, if you told us they made people run away from you faster, maybe we would believe it."

"Had I known how the picture was going to be used, I wouldn't have wanted to send it," Allen said, adding that the magazine's use was "really offensive."

Advertisement

Editor Danziger told USA Today that she is "personally mortified" over the use of the photo. "I had no idea that Monika had been through cancer," the editor said. "It was an error. It was a stupid mistake. We shouldn't have run the item."

Danziger has reached out to Allen and intends to support Girls on the Run of San Diego, a program of 5k training for girls ages 8-13.

[NBC 7] [USA Today]

Latest Headlines