Beyonce Gets Flack for "Blackface" Photo Shoot
Credit: Youtube
Beyonce has been in scores of edgy, fashion-forward photo and video shoots -- but some critics are scratching their heads over a spread in the March issue of French fashion mag L'Officiel Paris.
In honor of the mag's 90th anniversary, and in tribute to Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, the singer, 29, appears in "blackface" makeup and tribal makeup and costume designed by her mom, Tina Knowles.
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In a statement (via website Jezebel), the magazine said that the superstar' s surprising look was "far from the glamorous Sasha Fierce" and explained that it was "a return to her African roots, as you can see on the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened."
But the "Halo" singer didn't exactly get universal praise for the shoot.
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Sniped Charing Ball of the Atlanta Post: "Blackface is not fashion forward or edgy and, in my opinion, it is just flat-out offensive."
Echoed Jezebel's Dodai Stewart, "It's fun to play with fashion and makeup, and fashion has a history of provocation and pushing boundaries. But when you paint your face darker in order to look more 'African,' aren't you reducing an entire continent, full of different nations, tribes, cultures and histories, into one brown color?"
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Tell Us What You Think
18Why is bad to be dark-skinned black person? Asked by a super white white person.
First of all, what she is wearing is NOT blackface! Blackface is used to by NON-black actors/actress to appear black, using the application of shoe polish-like make up and using distorted facial expressions and language while playing parts, most often those of buffoons. None of the above applies in this case. She IS black, not playing black. This is, in my opinion, just another attempt to destroy the image of this talented woman by those who need to get their historic facts straight.
aw.. love her no matter what.. stop this stereotype issue!!! you are all jealous
So is her shade of black not black enough to embrace her African roots? I'm confused. This stereotypes what the magazine feels a black person should look like.
I truly love it! She is so African, so beautiful
I don't understand racism... I'm from a latin country where EVERYBODY has a little bit of black in their blood, even the blondest! so I just don't see the insult on painting your face black... it is just make up representing a skin color like any other... that's what it is for me
Wow!
Her African roots and her blonde hair...
I find a lot of comments here totally ignorant, so i choose to respond. First, for the person who said that Nigerian women are generally slender and dark skinned, you are so wrong! We come in different colours, shapes and sizes! Beyonce choosing to darken her skin is not a problem for many, the issue is the reason behind it! According to the magazine, its for her to connect to her African roots...Which African roots i dare ask? the Africa where everybody is black,and people live in trees i suppose. Truth is, she simply displayed her ignorance by that singular act. For your information, the Fela she claims to be paying tribute to is not even dark skinned, google his picture! Art my foot....
Wow-some people really need to LIGHTEN UP(no pun intended)'cause this is ridiculous--it's an african ritual in some places to use "black face"--she's not trying to darken herself, she was reflecting the ritual. @ Mandy Walker is right--Asian women sometimes do this as well (w/white pasty powder) for cultural purposes-same difference. I'm all for political correctness but sometimes I feel we as a society have become WAY too touchy and sensitive and just need to relax a bit...
@Angie..AMEN to that.
African Roots? PLEAZZZZZE...oh, I guess I should return to my Irish, French, Cherokee, English roots too. What a crock of crap, she is American. Why do so many people and stars make such a big deal of Africa if they are black, have they ever lived in Africa. hell no! like I said wht a crock of BS!!!!!
Is something like this still an issue? She or anybody else should be able to paint the face black, yellow or white, make yourself look asian or native american or eskimo, so what? As long as you care and blow such a simple thing out of proportion, you have racist issues, no matter what or who you are. It is just not important anymore, we all are humans, and what is the point her? Beyonce a racist, or what? This is ridiculous, so just get over it!
If this was a white chick doing black face? well YEAH that's offensive. But I think she was just trying to make an artistic statement. Maybe since Beyonce is a light skinned African American she needs to get back in touch with her roots, sometimes people treat light-skinned black women different from very dark-skinned black women. I've seen Asian women use very heavy WHITE POWDER to whiten their skin as part of a cultural aesthetic. Same thing.
She screwed up by bleaching her skin and now she wants to play both sides so everyone will like her. She should be more happy with her origins and that's that.
I think that in an age where actors/musicians often have their complexion lightened for magazine covers it's refreshing to see someone change things up a bit and go against the grain.
WILD! That's all I can say. Black face has been controversial for many reasons. I understand her intention wasn't to be offensive, but I do think people are right in saying you don't have to be dark to represent Africa or Nigeria. I have several Nigerian friends and not all of them are dark skinned.
OMG- shut the hell up people. You're insulting dark black women everywhere.