GQ "Glee" Photos: Dianna Agron Apologizes for Racy Shoot

From left, Dianna Agron, Cory Monteith and Lea Michele are shown on the cover of GQ magazine's November 2010 issue.

/ Terry Richardson/GQ

NEW YORK (CBS) "Glee" actress Dianna Agron has taken to her blog to pen a lengthy response to the controversy surrounding the racy photo shoot she and co-stars Lea Michele and Cory Monteith did for GQ magazine's November issue.

Pictures: "Glee" Stars in GQ

The 24-year-old apologized to anyone who may have been offended by the photos, writing, "In the land of Madonna, Britney, Miley, Gossip Girl, other public figures and shows that have pushed the envelope and challenged the levels of comfort in their viewers and fans...we are not the first. Now, in perpetuating the type of images that evoke these kind of emotions, I am sorry."

"If you are hurt or these photos make you uncomfortable, it was never our intention. And if your eight-year-old has a copy of our GQ cover in hand, again I am sorry. But I would have to ask, how on earth did it get there?" she continued.

"I am twenty-four years old. I have been a pretty tame and easy-going girl my whole life," she also wrote. "Nobody is perfect, and these photos do not represent who I am."

The inspiration for the GQ photos, she explained, was "a heightened version of our school characters. A 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' version."

"At the time, it wasn't my favorite idea. But I did not walk away," she said, later adding, "These aren't photos I am going to frame and put on my desk, but hey, nor are any of the photos I take for magazines. Those are all characters we've played for this crazy job, one that I love and am so fortunate to have, each and every day."

The images, shot by photographer Terry Richardson, showed Agron and Michele in their underwear, licking lollypops and striking sexy poses. Both actresses are 24, but play high school students on the Fox series. Monteith was also featured in the photos, but remained clothed.

Some have questioned whether the pictures are inappropriate, since the two portray teenagers on the show. The Parents Television Council released a statement Wednesday saying the shoot "borders on pedophilia." "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric also questioned the images, saying they were "very adult photos of young women who perform in a family show."

GQ Editor-in-Chief Jim Nelson told "The Insider" that the magazine stands by the editorial spread.

"The Parents Television Council must not be watching much TV these days and should learn to divide reality from fantasy," he said. "As often happens in Hollywood, these 'kids' are in their 20s. Cory Monteith is almost 30! I think they're old enough to do what they want."

[riverdtx]

Oh come on. Has anyone seen the latest Miley Cyrus video? or watched the Glee episode about Madonna and Pop Culture? you can't think this is a "family" show! get a grip.

[Flower1364]

Come on, whose really idiotic enough to think this is a family show? Does anyone really believe that any of these actors are under 18? Gimme a break! It is what it is; entertaining yes- for kids, you've got to be crazy.

[Windemere1]

The problem is with the general television viewing public, they can no longer determine the difference between fantasy and reality and what is more they do not want too. It is far to easy to plop your kid down in front of the television and expect the characters to teach their children the appropriate values, and when that doesn't work it is an easy out for the parent, "that darn evil television show" taught my child that an anvil falling on their head won't hurt them. The problem even extends to adults, look around and you will see adults emulating television characters and the majority of time it is not the "good" character.
If these people want to undress for a camera that is their decision for right or wrong but to say they are the character they play on television and must act as that character would is just plain wrong, if these truly were the values we hold so near and dear to our hearts then many of the best players in the NFL should be kicked out if not in jail.
Once again people, television is pure fantasy, the characters are just that characters, actors doing their job PRETENDING to be someone they are not the sooner you learn that the sooner you will be able to teach your children.

[GenericUserNameForPosting]

I wouldn't watch the show because it's not my cup of tea, but I have family members who watch it from time to time, so I've seen it while passing through. Personally, if these people are over 18 and want to do a racy photo shoot in provocative clothing and the market is there to sell it, then what is the problem? People in America can be very prudish at times. You are responsible for what you purchase and look at. If something offends you, change the channel, look away or don't buy it or have it in your home. Why do we have to have the Parade of Prudes every time something like this comes up? Personally? I think a lot of fat housewives are jealous.

[skyblu5555]

It's too late for 'apology'. I didn't know GQ was Playboy. We already live in the objectification culture of girls so what's a little porno glee here?

[stanl1--2008]

I cannot believe the tone of these comments! The picture I see on the cover of GQ is a bit spicy, but porno? As my mother would say, you see less here than you would see on the beach any day. Come on, get a life!

[mb91764]

"These photos do not represent who I am."Then who do they represent then?Kind of like a pono star saying that just because I make Sex movie and have sex with dozen of different men,I'm not a ****.Yea.

[Jjfish51]

Why did they have to do that?

[stanl1--2008]

Who said they 'have' to do that. They freely chose to do it. Obviously they were paid, but its not impossible that they were just having a bit of innocent fun play-acting. (That's what actors do, play different kinds of characters. For some, it may be just a job. i don't know any professional actors, but the people I met in college studying acting were not in it for the money - they were in it because they loved acting.)

[btorourk]

Glee is not a family show. It never was and never will be! I love the show but if you call it a family show then you haven't sat through a whole episode. If your kids are watching - turn it off! I happy to see other parents on here saying the same thing.

[sherylATX]

these are 24-year old professional actresses, not the high school teens the portray on TV. it is a parent's responsibility to create this understanding and to control what their children have access to. period.

[texbelle123]

Were the actors in these "racy" photos staged as the teenage characters they portray on Glee, or as the adults they are? That is the bottom line question -- and that, for those of you who asked 'what's the big deal?', is what the big deal is about. Wrap the female actors around male actors who do NOT appear on glee, then the shoot was all about being adults. Since all the actors were from Glee, they were cast in their teenage "personna". And it is just WRONG to give that kind of sexuality to teenagers. That's why the Parents Television Council objected, that's why Katie Couric objected, that's why women everwhere are objecting. That's also propably why GQ is standing by the shoot. After all, how many men do not fantisize about nubile young teenage girls? Isn't that why the way to correctly pose for any photo nowadays is for the female to stand awkardly, like a teenager?