Let’s face it, Beyoncé has been the woman to talk about. From all the hype around her new baby Blue Ivy, to all the hysteria accusing her and hubby Jay-Z of getting special treatment, Bey continues lighting up the headlines. Now here’s another headline she’s after — and yet another thing of which critics are accusing her. Critics say she “whitewashed” on the cover of her latest album.
Beyoncé does still have her music to promote, despite her new mommy status. The latest image for her album IV (which is also allegedly where Blue got her middle name Ivy) has sparked a lot of conversation. While a lot of performers seek to his or get her album into the conversation, the chatter surrounding Bey’s album has pretty much nothing to do with the music but rather, her appearance.
If you can’t tell, Beyoncé is looking, well, lighter in her promotional photo. Although her skin is naturally on the lighter side, the image has people claiming that the star deliberately lightened her skin for the shot. The blonde wig and eyebrows only add fuel to the critical fire. While many people might just chalk it up to bad lighting or photo shop, history seems to be on the critics side. Bey also caught some heat for a similar thing happening for her ad campaigns for L’Oréal. [via Fashionista]
The issue remains such a hot topic because the growing trend of skin-bleaching and lightening creams. Society created this idea that “lighter skin is bette,r” causing some women with darker skin to feel that this is the ideal they have to live up to. Add to that fact that someone as popular as Beyoncé is consciously or unconsciously caving into those standards, and the issue only swells.
It’s no surprise that women of all skin colors look up to her, and whether she intended to or not, she’s in a way supporting that message — or is she?
Whose fault is it when this happens? Those in control of editing the photo? The products at hand? Or the person? When Beyoncé saw the end results of her photos or ads, should she have said something? I’ll admit that she does look a little paler than normal, but with her rockin’ body and curves, she’s been known to go against society’s norms — so why would an issue as important as this be any different?
So what do you guys think? Can we chalk it up to bad lighting? Do you think Beyoncé is intentionally making herself look paler?
guest
Why can’t a woman just do what she wants? It doesn’t necessarily mean she’s conforming to the “standards of beauty.” I like my light skin only because I can’t tan and I look like a lobster when I’m in the sun. It doesn’t mean it’s because I think white-skinned people are standard when it comes to beauty.
guest
People need to learn how to be individuals. I’m an African-American female and when I look at Beyonce I don’t have the desire to look like her in any way shape or form. I understand that people are being brainwashed into believing a certain look is “better”, but most people get away from that and realize that they’re beautiful too. The people that haven’t gotten away from that mindset can only blame themselves.
guest
the only thing that matters is that she looks fantastic. ive seen so many other celebrities do things that are ten times worse.
guest
I think she looks incredibly beautiful in the picture and if she is lightening her skin tone, why is that such a big deal? Let her do what she wants with her body. It’s hers. Not to mention, I don’t think she’s supporting anything to do with the such. It could just be strictly for the album and critics are just looking too deeply into it.
ranunculus / 3457 posts
Why are women never satisfied? Blacks and Asians trying to look white, using tape on their eyes and horrible weaves, white girls getting tanned till they look Caribbean… just be happy with yourself.
guest
No matter what, I’ll always think Beyonce is beautiful and so talented. If her music is good, then why does it matter so much that she looks whiter than usual? Like what a few others have said, let her do her thing.
guest
If people are going to complain about the lightening or darkening of skin, then they might as well complain about every aspect of beauty that alters the body from the original.
guest
I’ve been thinking for a while now that it seems every other time I see her she’s looking more and more like a white woman. It’s like her skin is getting paler and paler and her hair blonder and blonder. It is annoying and unfortunate, but I’m not really concerned about the affect it has on society. We’re all already tainted. Just make sure you and your house is in order.
guest
I don’t think she is making herself look paler. Lighting can make a HUGE difference. I know my skin looks completely different in photos depending on the lighting. Depending on the undertones in your skin, the lighting can affect how light or dark your skin looks. It happens to women of all races, I just think women of color, especially African-American women, get noticed more when it happens to them.
guest
This photo is so blow out, but at the same time it seems like that isn’t the only issue. It has definitely been deliberately lightened. I don’t understand it. I have a friend with incredibly dark skin and I think it is beautiful.
guest
its the elephant in the room LOL ………….
guest
not only is it pathetic that women in our society feel the need to try to look like something they’re not, especially when it comes down to trying to look like a different race, but it’s also weird to me that someone as famous as beyoncé would think that she could get away with doing this without anyone noticing. if she is trying to change her race or something (which is wrong in itself), it’s too late, since most people know that she is part black…so i just don’t even understand the logistics of this ridiculous, disturbing trend.
guest
she prob did it on purpose based on some message she’s trying to send through her music, and adding that whitewashed picture as a symbol, or some BS.
i highly doubt that beyonce isn’t comfortable in her own, darker skin.
maybe she just wanted to look different. photo shoots are supposed to be fun. this was probably her idea of fun.
guest
If she likes how it looks, what business is it of anyone else’s?
guest
She looks like Rihanna in that picture. That seems like a bigger mistake than looking white. She’s gonna make people go buy Rihanna albums. Cuz now I’m certainly thinking about Rihanna and picturing Rihanna.
guest
Why does everyone want to be white? Can’t you just love the skin you were born with?
guest
I don’t understand why people think she’s “white-washing”, whatever that is…
Have people forgotten that in the winter time, or even depending on how much you go outside or stay in the sun, your skin can get lighter? She was never completely dark skinned to begin with, and also, cameras and a whole shit load of editing makes her skin look brown/tan/lighter in every picture. Not to mention how “beauty” and makeup goes different ways: your foundation can look whiter than usual or you can bronze your cheeks so much you look like you’ve been sitting in the sun all day even if you haven’t left the house.
I think we should think about all that before we start saying she’s “white-washed”. She’s pretty and unless we see her in person we won’t be able to tell. But either way… it’s her skin and she can do what she wants if she prefers it that way.
guest
Lighting? come on, these are profession photographers! definitely whitening creams or Photoshop, no question.
guest
White women tan to be darker; dark women lighten their skin to look lighter. Granted, not every single woman does something to her skin to change it, I don’t tan, and none of my friends care too much to tan or lighten their skin. But it’s really sad how so many people are so unhappy with something that I personally think is completely superficial. It’s skin. You’re born with the color you’re born with.
Nobody freaks out when white stars tan to an outrageous extent (a la anybody on Jersey Shore), yet people make a big deal when Beyonce goes outrageously lighter than her natural color.
Whatever, I think it’s all sending a bad message.
orchid / 148 posts
@carpeD_M@twitter - same! didn’t recognize her at all!