Photographer Shayan Asgharnia Reportedly Parts Ways with Los Angeles Magazine Over Alleged Demands from Billie Eilish’s Team

Photographer Shayan Asgharnia is said to have cut ties with Los Angeles magazine after claims surfaced that Billie Eilish’s team had insisted on final approval for her cover story.

The reported decision allegedly left the 34-year-old photographer so upset that he “pulled his nɑme from the finished product and ended his working relationship with the magazine altogether.”

In an email to The Daily Beast, Los Angeles magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Shirley Halperin, confirmed Asgharnia’s request to have his credit removed from the December shoot, but cited unawareness of the reasons behind it.

Halperin disclosed that the magazine collaborated closely with the 22-year-old superstar’s team for the shoot, which she noted is standard procedure with major talent. However, she denied claims that Eilish or her team had final approval or creative control over the cover.

A representative for Eilish also spoke to The Daily Beast, describing the cover as a “unique collaboration” and refuting the assertion of having final approval.

According to a source cited by The Daily Beast, the magazine’s decision to grant Eilish’s team final approval without prior consultation reportedly irked Asgharnia. The insider alleged that during the shoot, Eilish’s publicist attempted to control the artistic direction before ultimately demanding approval over the final photos.

Commenting on the matter, Akili Ramsess, the executive director for the National Press Photographers Association, stated to The Daily Beast that the incident represents a breach of industry standards, emphasizing the importance of maintaining photographer-magazine relationships.

The behind-the-scenes drаma comes in the wake of Eilish’s third studio album release, “Нit Me Hard And Soft,” which debuted on May 17. The album features a track titled “Skinny,” where Eilish addresses themes of body image and heartbreak.

In previous interviews, Eilish has discussed her struggles with body-shaming and the impact of social media on her mentаl health, expressing her efforts to gain control over her online presence by removing social media apps from her phone.

Eilish’s choice of loose-fitting clothing has also been a subject of discussion, with the singer citing body confidence and a desire to maintain privacy as reasons for her fashion choices.

The track “Skinny” is speculated to allude to Eilish’s past relationship with Jesse Rutherford, with whom she parted ways in May the previous year.