New York, NY – For the past couple of days there has been widespread discussion about the cover of the October issue of VIBE magazine. Media outlets across the industry have posted the alleged partial nude photo cover of the Crunk & B princess, Ciara. Apparently, speculations were circulating that she filed a lawsuit against the urban magazine. Sources close to Ciara stated that she was quite upset with the way the cover was finalized claiming that it ‘misrepresented’ her. Reports state that Ciara was wearing underwear at the time of the shoot, however, somewhere during the finalization process those panties were airbrushed out from under her.

VIBE Editor, Danyel Smith, responded to the speculations. She recently spoke to New York’s radio station KISS-FM last Friday (Sept.12) and clarified that the magazine was not being sued by Ciara. These were Smith’s comments during the radio interview.

“It’s just dramatic, I’m actually really sad. Almost any photo you see on the cover of VIBE or any magazine is airbrushed [to some degree]. What I was thinking of doing, actually, was releasing the un-retouched photos [on VIBE’s] Website, so people can see what the hullabaloo is all about.”

Smith states that she wasn’t present during the photo shoot for Ciara’s segment, but was told that there was a lot of love and nudity within the atmosphere. She also omits that it was an idea pitched by Ciara.

“I have so much respect for Ciara and Ciara was so happy when she pitched this idea to us, and the photos are actually striking and beautiful. It was pitched to me in a way that it was time [for her] to grow up and be beautiful and be free and be all the things she wanted to be.”

Smith continues to omit that there hasn’t been a lawsuit filed against the company and pushes the envelope that VIBE respects each and every individual graces the magazine.

“VIBE would never put anybody out there, man, woman or child in some way that they did not agree to be. We have no history of doing that.”

At press time, Ciara has commented about the photo shoot on Dimewars.com and spoke highly of the way it all came about.

Keep posted to 24hourhiphop.com for more updated news as this situation continues.