Playgirl editor-in-chief Michele Zipp has been relieved of her duties after over almost six years with the magazine.
“The reason they gave me was because of the redesign of the magazine and they felt it wasn’t selling, however we didn’t get any real numbers,” Zipp told AVN.com Monday.
Playgirl executives were unavailable for comment Monday, however Zipp said that former managing editor Jill Sieracki had been promoted to editor.
Zipp acknowledged that her recent admission to voting Republican in the last election in a column in the April issue of the magazine could have been a factor. That has been the subject of some media speculation since Zipp’s departure made news.
“They were unhappy with the changes I was making and felt that I was unwilling to address the magazine the way they wanted, but this all came on the heels of me last week doing some media about a tongue-in-cheek article about Democrats and Republicans in the bedroom,” Zipp said. “It was lighthearted. It’s Playgirl, which is supposed to be sexy and fun. I talked about how I voted Republican and I did get a lot of mail, and I felt as though some people, some of my colleagues expressed they didn’t want to work for a Republican editor.
“I can’t help but question that it may have played a part in it, but I don’t know for sure. … It was a surprise, but at the same time, I had felt a chill from some people in the office.”
Zipp recently went on “Scarborough Country” and did interviews with the Drudge Report and Alan Colmes discussing how Republicans are “friskier in the bedroom.”
“I was going on my sixth year. I valued my time there. I’m very proud of everything I did there,” Zipp said, adding that she is keeping her options open for the future.
“I’m sort of seeing what opportunities arise. I’m very proud of the redesign I did for 2005. It’s more women friendly, more erotic, rather than straight-out, X-rated and explicit. I do hope they continue with the vision I brought to the magazine.”
She continued, “I was fired, but I don’t have any ill will. I do believe everything happens for a reason. I hope the magazine continues with the vision that Jill and I had and I wish her the very best.”
