Cosmo Hates Jessica Alba
Posted by: Emilie Branch
in Feminizzle
on Aug 24, 2010

No, not really—she’s a typical fixture in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and generally represents what the magazine stands for (like shopping, and being sexy). However, that didn’t stop the editors from writing the phrase “Untamed Va-jay-jays” around the area where her actual vagina should be. It’s definitely eye-catching if not because it’s offensive yet cutesy than because it’s visually so white and bold.
The “va-jay-jay” got its origin on a 2007 episode of “Grey’s Anatomy”(a medical drama) and was than picked up by Oprah. She adopted it into her lexicon, using it so often that gossip television started to make fun of it; there’s even a youtube va-jay-jay remix with over 24,000 hits. It was then featured on a 2008 cover of Cosmo featuring Rhianna, in which it was used to describe “your lovely lady parts”. In spite of this, the term “va-jay-jay” hasn’t made such an unapologetic appearance in the media for a while. Cue untamed Jess Alba.
The va-jay-jay story is about the new trends in pubic hair, ranging from the au natural to the vajazzled (rhinestones adorn the pubic triangle, like underwear that won’t come off). Jennifer Love Hewitt is a staunch vajazzler, and talked about it on “Lopez Tonight”; look at the shock and dismay on George Lopez’s face when she tells him she’s currently “vajazzled”. George Lopez looks a bit the way I did when I saw the mag on the newsstand and than realized what was going on inside its pages—but I think my mouth was a bit more agape the whole time.

Worse than the shock over this issue, are the questions. For instance, why aren’t American women viewed as mature enough to handle the word vagina? Would a men’s magazine ever refer to the penis as a pe-nay-nay (under a photo of George Clooney)? Are people generally offended by the word vagina, and what does that mean for women? Are we still supposed to mask our sex and be embarrassed of it? Why do women feel the need to vajazzle, and why is female pubic hair a matter of public discourse? Hmph!
Sorry, if that was all a bit too Liberal Arts school, but I figured these issues could be comfortably aired on BUST. Let us know what you think, so we can get to the bottom of the va-jay-jay debate.
The opinions expressed on the BUST blog are those of the authors themselves and do not necessarily reflect the position of BUST Magazine or its staff.

written by antislice, August 24, 2010
written by Lisa Goldman, August 24, 2010
I find the whole concept of this both alarming and depressing as we continue to find ways to dissect women's bodies into more and more money-making constituent parts...
written by Carolinamidwife, August 24, 2010
written by cellista, August 26, 2010
Thank you for the mid-afternoon chortle.
written by tommynomad, August 26, 2010
We need more Jane Fondas. As in, women who say "cunt" live on Good Morning America.
@antislice and Carolinamidwife: soooo with you on "vulva." Do many men refer to their vas deferens?
written by Carolinamidwife, August 26, 2010
The vas deferens is simply the duct that carries sperm... not a relevant comparison.
written by jeryllynn, August 26, 2010
written by feathernorth, August 26, 2010
And I would love to see George Clooney's pe-nay-nay highlighted on the cover a men's magazine. I'd like to see his pe-yay-yay pretty much anywhere, actually.
I understand that no one should be dictating the state of our delicates, but it's this kind self-righteous humorlessness that makes too many women not want to call themselves feminists. Lighten up already.
written by rizzle, August 26, 2010
subscription envy????
and i'm with Antislice on the vagina/vulva debate. get it right bitches!
written by Flamestitch, August 26, 2010
written by beee, August 26, 2010
written by Kenziejane, August 26, 2010
written by Veggiepants, August 27, 2010
written by OpenVaJayJayInsertFoot, August 27, 2010
PS - The term was created way before 2007, and most likely before the writer of this was born.
written by pinkmoon, August 27, 2010
I think it shows progress even for cutesy euphemisms like vajayjay to appear on the cover of Cosmo, compared to times when the mere subject of vulvas, vaginas, or cunts was too taboo to mention, let alone emblazon in bold letters in front of Jessica Alba's crotch (and I give Cosmo kudos for that). And the fact that they're openly discussing pubic hair is pretty forward. It's high time that women's magazines addressed the idea that women can reclaim more natural hair. I, for one, am well sick of the porno/ pseudo pre-pubescent look as the standard. And while I find vajazzling completely bewildering and a waste of money, I can sort of see how it would be fun if you had the extra cash. Like a mani-pedi, but for your cunt. As long as we're doomed to be a society of consumers, why not glitter up your vag, I guess. In fact, it kind of reminds me of one of the poems from For Colored Girls...so hey, whatever tickles your fancy. Oh, and re: feathernorth, I like your term pe-yay-yay even better, than pe-nay-nay,esp. in regards to Mr. Clooney...yay indeed. I think you should make pe-yay-yay a fad.
written by Mais, August 27, 2010
written by Leonore Tiefer, August 27, 2010
written by Colleen K, August 27, 2010
That just says you do care... so much so that you end up profiling a whole person based on a tiny slice of vernacular.
written by vdl, August 27, 2010
written by kimn, August 27, 2010
But, really, when it comes down to it, if some chick wants to glue some sparkles to her pubes, that her business. Maybe it makes her feel sexy, maybe it's b/c she's insecure. We'll never know. But, it seems to me, that in the world of feminism so long as it's coming from a place of empowerment, then it's okay. But if, god forbid, your insecure and doing it, well, those are just all the wrong reasons and it must be that society and the men in it are making you that way. Everyone is insecure about something...and yes, media and advertising prey on those insecurities. It comes down to individual responsibility for one's self. You have to just be aware of all the bullshit that's out there, and what works for you and what doesn't.
And you can't just automatically say, "you don't see men out there bedazzling their pe-nay-nays," b/c of course you're not going to -- they're men. But lots, and lots of men do "manscape" and, who knows, maybe some dude out out there somewhere is in touch w/ his feminine side and gluing jewels to himself right now. I just fail to see how the comparison really has any validity.
As for the nicknames, so what? I joke around and call my pussay whatever fun nickname comes to mind sometimes - but know when it's appropriate to call it by it's real name, just as all women should. And when I saw that on the cover of Cosmo, I just laughed, I mean, come on "Untamed Va-jays-jays" -- is it impossible to think that the folks at Cosmo were also having a go laugh? Are European women's magazine putting the word vagina on their covers? Are European women worried about what vajazziling "means" to our rights as women?
I just perhaps we're over thinking the small stuff a bit. Maybe we should focus more on true issues of equality.
written by Tim Bannock, August 27, 2010
From Mike: "It was either the summer of 2001 or 2002 when I was hanging out with a friend of mine (Doug), and I met a good friend of his (Damien). Damien said quite repeatedly over the course of several days that Doug, 'had sand in (his) vajayjay.'"
From Adam: "...I was introduced to the term by MC Paul Barman in his song "MTV get off the air, Part 2" which was released on his album back in 2000 and was originally recorded in 1999."
Sorry, Emilie!
written by Flamestitch, August 27, 2010
You are right, I do care, and as I mentioned, I think it's stupid. That's what the qualifier, "so long as" means.
written by feathernorth, August 27, 2010
written by Fibretrim, August 28, 2010
written by Regina II , August 28, 2010
written by replica handbagss, August 29, 2010
written by Rachel B, August 29, 2010
written by rastapasta, August 29, 2010
written by mag, August 30, 2010
I have numerous issues with this cover.
1. The term Vajayjay is stupid. Lets call our lady parts as what they are, vaginas,vulvas,clits, breasts...these are not "Clinical" terms, these are accurate, non-cutesy, straight-up phrases.
We shouldn't feel the need to cute up our vaginas. Think about the difference in the type of slang that refers to womens parts and the types that refer to mens parts.
Women: flower, vajayay, taco, hoo-ha, pussy
men: dick, cock, schlong, sword
How come they get all the hard,(no pun intended)forceful names and we get botanically influenced, cute names??...just seems a little twisted...And when we do use names that are equally forceful and gripping, like snacth, cunt and twat, it is considered vulgar and in bad taste?
2. why the obsession with altering the way our vaginas look? why do we need to encrust them with jewels or wax them bald? and why is this a matter of fashion rather than personal taste? I feel like some ladies feel the need to "makeover" their parts so that they are more aesthecally pleasing, which is fine and all, I like a good brazilian as much as the next chick, but doesn't this constant upkeeping imply that there is something wrong with vaginas as they are naturally? Although some may argue otherwise, our vag's are not man eating, vagina dentata's, so perhaps we should stop treating them as "befores" to some elusive "after" picture.
Listen, Call your crotch what you want, decorate and design it however you like but lets be ashamed of what we have by hiding behind sparkles and fluffy names.
written by feathernorth, August 31, 2010
I am a human female, not juvenile poultry.
I'm not offended or degraded though, because I know to say you like a hairless vagina as much as the next human female is awkward and overly formal and not what you really meant to say at all.
written by mag, September 01, 2010
Im glad you are not offended by my sarcasm because yes I did mean that vaginas with or without hair are acceptable. and that I dont believe in infantilizing lady parts with silly names like princess pocket. If you dont want to use "medical" terms at least avoid names that echo baby talk and use terms a little less sheepish and demeaning.
written by AAsh, September 03, 2010
"I call mine roast beef sandwich"
Dude, Seriously the funniest responce to any article I have read all week!
HAHAHAHAHA
And all you ladies ( I'm one too) Let your sisters call it whatever the hell they want!!!!!!!
Stop bitching at each other.
written by Allene, September 06, 2010
As for the use of the word "va-jay-jay", I agree that it's not necessarily offensive, but it's sad that we wouldn't flinch over seeing the word "penis" in bold on the cover of a magazine, but "vulva" or "vagina" would turn lots of people off.
Oh, and feathermoth - I think the thing that makes many women not "want to call themselves feminists" is their not being educated enough on the subject. What seems like a lack of humour on the surface is actually an educated and earned anger toward everything that is still broken in our world.
written by lacuna1982, September 13, 2010
"vagina", therefore, is unacceptable, and/or dirty
yet the male anatomical reference, "penis" is completely acceptable, as the article states. The dilemma ties into gender norms, roles, and oppression. Through using language like this, we implicitly state which gender is superior, and which is to be regarded as inferior.

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Men have sooo many nicknames for their penis; it's about time women had a few too. Women vejazzle because it's fun. And what's wrong with it being discussed in public? That's actually pretty cool that people are able to talk about it so casually and comfortably.