Airbrushing Controversy Surrounds Gabourey Sidibe Elle Cover

By The Editors of StyleList Posted Sep 16th 2010 04:50PM

Elle magazine is denying accusations that it digitally lightened the skin of Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe, who is appearing on one of the October issue's four celebrity covers.

The controversy is the second magazine swirl Sidibe's name has been tied to in 2010. It was back in February that there was an outcry that the actress, at the time reveling in the Oscar buzz around 'Precious, had been left off of Vanity Fair's Hollywood cover in what some called 'The White Issue.

The Telegraph reports that the fashion magazine -- which last month featured Julia Roberts on its front -- is also being criticized for showing slim October cover girls Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, and Lauren Conrad in full-length poses, while the plus-size Sidibe is only seen from the chest up, according to the paper.

The 'Precious' actress appears on the cover in a draped emerald green gown and rocking long, straight locks, though her glowing skin does seem to be a few shades lighter than normal (See the photos above).

So is the lighter skin a result of her makeup or the lighting used on set? Or did somebody get too eager with the Photoshop?

Elle reportedly claims "nothing out of the ordinary" was done.

"We have four separate covers this month, and Gabby's cover was not retouched any more or less than the others," the 25-year-old magazine said in an official statement.

"We had 25 cover-worthy subjects in our portfolio and we chose Gabby because of who she is.

"We shot this as a story of exuberant young women changing the world. If you take a look at the portfolio, each of the women were shot in different ways and for different reasons."

Hmmm... "more or less than the others"? Sounds fishy.

It's not the first time accusations of skin lightening have been made. In 2008, L'Oréal received complaints that it had allegedly lightened Beyoncé's skin in a Feria ad.

Tags: gabourey sidibe

Comments

(55)

Thursday 16 September

By Lisa Green

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whats the "BIG" deal-they airbrush every single person on every single magazine cover--no different than kate gosselin, or anyone elses photo.....it shouldnt be allowed--just like fake breasts shouldnt be allowed in the miss america or miss usa contests....

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By RJ

This is nothing new. Maybe someday there will be a magazine that shows people, celebrities or "regular folk" as we really are... with all our own unique differences, sizes, shapes, colors and features. They changed this poor woman's skin color for crying out loud, telling her and the rest of the world she is "too black" to show her in her natural way. This is disgusting. This is why our country has such an issue with people having problems about their image. We are basically told we have to (or should) look a certain way. Sad.

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Friday 17 September

By AshLeena

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So So True! It is sad.

By SiastaEg

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Sure, if you want health care costs to continue to go up do to obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease. Don't think taxpayers like to be paying for this. Glad I don't live in America. Nobody should accept this body type, it's unhealthy and gross. Nothing wrong with a few pounds overweight but this chick is an elephant.

Wednesday 22 September

By Gerald Mathhews

Are they for real? This is not even an issue. First of all, I think the writers of this story are disingenuous in their intent, which I have suspicion of but refuse to articulate for their pleasure. Secondly, I am as dark as she is, and I have many pictures where I appear lighter than I really am, with no special lighting or makeup. I think it is a flattering photo of her and there won't be any confusion of her etnicity. Move on to a REAL story!

By Gail E. Cooper

You go, Gerald! I couldn't have said it better! These clowns seem to have considerably more issues with Gabby's looks than she does. Putting Gabby on the front cover says that Elle is at least trying to broaden its appeal. For doing so, I applaud their efforts. It's time for Popeater to leave her alone and move on to something truly news worthy. Everyone who appears in any fashionable print publication is "air brushed" including Caucasians.

By Nico Toscani

She's hard to look at no matter what her skin tone.

By Chrissy

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Why? Because she's overweight or because she's black? What a ridiculous thing to say.

By cb

NICO DO US ALL A FAVOR TAKE THAT BUTT PLUG OUT OF YOUR ARSE AND
PUT IT IN YOUR MOUTH, WHERE IT BELONGS!

She's hard to look at because she appears as though she might drop dead from walking across the room. It's a medical travesty when somebody is that overweight you effin' hypocrites.

By tk

if that's all that people have to worry about in this age of war,gangs,drugs and suicides is an airbrushed cover of a magazine,then the millions of people worrying about it need to get a life!!!!!!

By cwkpam

You can bet the farm they airbrushed her cover shot -- the woman is hideous, which is why she got the role in the first place but is not good for selling magazines.

By CB

where's your pic jerk!

By bsti

She needs to lose some tonage! No air brushing will change that.

By Anne Bilotti

Most definitely. Her face looks slimmer than what it actually is. She seriously needs to lose weight. Not only does she look gross but her health is at risk.

By Righteouschoices

You couldn't care less about her health...because if you did you wouldn't make such a mean statement.

Yeah, they digitally lopped off about 4 inches worth of chin.

From my observations most people are plain, with non-athletic bodies. I thank God for barber shops, beauty salons, gyms, and make-up because humans need that. That is why we wear fake this and that, and get botox and plastic surgery,and weight-loss products. So chances are you too are hard to look at, the only difference is that this young lady made the front page. Congrats Gabourey.

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