Anna Wintour Really Was Rude to BTS V — And Yes, It Was Caught on Camera
Based on livestreams, fan videos, and new unedited footage from the Celine Paris shows
“Excuse me… can you come closer?”
That one line — delivered with frosty detachment by Vogue’s legendary editor-in-chief Anna Wintour — set the tone for a moment that fans of BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung) won’t soon forget. And thanks to new unedited footage from the Celine Paris show, it’s no longer up for debate: Anna really was rude to V.
This isn’t about drama for drama’s sake. This is about respect, power dynamics in fashion, and the shifting of cultural authority from old-school gatekeepers to global icons who don’t need to beg for a seat at anyone’s table.
The Moment: What Really Happened in Paris
In the now-viral footage, Anna Wintour approaches V backstage at the Celine Spring/Summer 2026 show in Paris. Cameras catch her saying:
“Excuse me… can you come closer? We’re hoping you’re coming to our event in Hollywood in October.”
V, ever the gentleman, nods and replies “Okay,” but then comes the shade of the year.
Translator: “We’ll try to figure it out. We have a lot to work on. We’ll let you know.”
Anna: “You need to come.”
Translator: “Congratulations on your journey.”
Fans and commentators alike dubbed this the moment Wintour finally met her match — not in attitude, but in polite, effortless deflection. The translator delivered shade so diplomatically that even Anna seemed momentarily gagged.
Let’s Be Clear: This Wasn’t Just “Awkward”
Some solo stans rushed to defend Anna, accusing critics of reading too much into a harmless interaction. But let’s zoom out:
The tone of her request.
The entitlement in “you need to come.”
The complete lack of warmth or regard for V’s schedule or comfort.
If the edited version already looked bad, imagine how much worse the full cut must’ve been before it hit social media. And that brings us to the deeper context.
This Is Personal — Especially with Celine
What many may not know is that Anna Wintour has been boycotting Celine since her long-running feud with former creative director Hedi Slimane — the very designer behind V’s stunning outfit that night.
Slimane, known for his refusal to bow to editorial gatekeepers, clashed with Anna over backstage access, media control, and the centralization of power within Vogue. When Anna orchestrated the dismissal of Emmanuelle Alt — Slimane’s longtime friend and Vogue Paris editor — the feud turned cold war.
V’s tailored, high-fashion Celine ensemble? A silent nod to Slimane. A sartorial dagger aimed right at the editor who dismissed the man behind the look. And V wore it with grace.
Anna’s Influence: Out of Fashion?
Let’s be honest — Anna Wintour’s grip on fashion has loosened.
She’s been criticized for tone-deaf editorials (like the Lauren Sánchez cover).
Her aesthetic — same bob, same sunglasses, same silhouettes — feels frozen in time.
Vogue contributes only about 20–30% of Condé Nast’s revenue in 2025, while Condé Nast itself has barely grown in inflation-adjusted terms since 1988.
She’s no longer shaping culture — she’s reacting to it.
Even designers like Azzedine Alaïa once said:
“Who will remember Anna Wintour in the history of fashion? No one.”
It wasn’t just a diss — it was a statement about who really defines legacy: creators, not gatekeepers.
Why Vogue World: Hollywood Might Be a Misfire for V
So what exactly is Vogue World: Hollywood?
A glitzy, one-night-only fashion event hosted in Los Angeles, allegedly in support of wildfire victims and film & tv workers. But here’s the issue:
The optics are performative. Wildfire victims, displaced garment workers, and rescue shelters remain underfunded.
The event mirrors failed charity concerts like FireAid, where funds were raised, but little reached actual victims.
V lending his star power could appear like endorsing an elite spectacle, not a grounded cause.
And let’s be real — V has better ways to show up for LA.
What Should V Do Instead?
V is currently in Los Angeles with the rest of BTS, working on their 2026 comeback album. While he’s here, he could:
Volunteer at Pasadena Humane or Wags & Walks, helping pets displaced by the fires.
Quietly foster a dog, like Paris Hilton did — whose own home was destroyed in the blaze.
Partner with ARMY volunteer efforts already on the ground.
No cameras. No runways. Just heart.
Final Word
Anna Wintour was rude. The video confirmed it. The subtext wasn't just imagined — it was undeniable.
And V? He doesn’t need Vogue World. He is the world.
Let her sip her cappuccino. Taehyung has bigger things to do.