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One of four cover models for Elle's 25th anniversary October issue, Sidibe appears on the front of the fashion magazine with what appears to be lighter skin. Critics say that the 'Big C' actress not only seems to have been digitally lightened, but that the plus-size star was not depicted in the same type of full-body photo as the other three cover models and that her hair style is unflattering.
In a statement, Elle said, "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... If you take a look at the portfolio, each of the women were shot in different ways and for different reasons."
Do you think Elle magazine airbrushed Sidibe so that her skin would appear lighter? Should she have been given the same type of cover as the other October cover models? Weigh in below!
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Black Vogue Cover Models
Beverly Johnson, August 1974
Peggy Dillard, August 1977
Shelia Johnson, March 1980
Shari Belafonte, June 1986
Karen Alexander, January 1989
Naomi Campbell, September 1989
Kara Young, October 1989
Karia Kabukuru, July 1997
Oprah Winfrey, October 1998
Halle Berry, December 2002
Comments: (1049)
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By: Robert on 9/16/2010 7:53PM
No, that's what happens when you're in a photo shoot. When you take portraits the subject is 3 to 4 feet away. Using an "O" ring which delivers an even light source is helpful for those of darker complexion. It will illuminate the subject without creating too high a contrasting picture. If you look at Fox (stop looking now) Seyfried and Conrad they have the same highlights on their upper right forehead and the flash on their cleavage. But since Sedibe is closer the flash angle is higher and is pointed at her head. Her neck and arm color is fine with little touch ups. But then EVERYONE is touched up in the biz.
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By: jamel on 9/16/2010 10:29PM
Wow Brother, you sound like you know what you're talking about. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this subject.
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By: Revved on 9/17/2010 7:04AM
A sick example of a little someone using a 'little' truth to tell a huge lie! 'O' rings, lighting angles and touch ups (which are lies in and of themselves) "in the biz" aside, this is a DARK skinned woman who has been more palatably 'packaged' for Elle Magazine's audience. Pictures suggest a degree of truth to the public regarding the subject... The 'lighting' technique in this one profits the public with someone's skin seeming to be bleached 5 or 6 shades lighter! That's a lie! The hair style says unkempt, not beautiful... a blatant untruth. And instead of calling a spade a spade, we try to justify mean spirited dishonesty...
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By: Sunday on 9/17/2010 7:14AM
I actually like the photo...It still looks like her. Everyone gets a "touch up" with the airbrush these days! So what? As long as the pic is recognizable, who cares? Good job to the photog.
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By: Jaleesa on 9/17/2010 7:32AM
I'm sorry but if you look at magazines like ebony and essence magazine or any other black based magazines you will see that just because the light hits a person's face a certain way does not mean that their complexion changes....that is a load of crap they touched up her face.
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By: Jessica on 9/17/2010 7:39AM
Ok shes a big girl, i see fashion mags and all i see is skinny women. Truth be told most of us don't look like sticks. So if you're going to bend the fashion rules and have a fat girl why channge her skin color? I think she's beautiful just the way she is!
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By: JJ on 9/17/2010 7:52AM
Excellent comments & observations!
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By: kevlar02 on 9/17/2010 8:06AM
I am appalled. I will never buy this magazine again. I never bought it in the first place. She does look better on the cover, though.
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By: Gaea on 9/17/2010 8:11AM
That's bull_ _ _ _! A professional photographer of the caliber that is contracted by the magazine could show the true color of a persons' skin and still get the light that is needed! Ms. Sidibe's skin is very dark, and the magazine choose not to depict her that way! How shameful! As if a very dark skinned young lady could not be deemed as attractive as a lighter skinned woman! Boo!!!
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By: kayiscah on 9/17/2010 9:11AM
I think her hair is fine and the framing is flattering. While lighting will make a big difference in how skin tones appear, she does look like she was digitally lightened. I play with photoshop a lot myself and digitally lightning skin can create a "glowing effect" that's kind of cool...even with white skin. But while it could have been a contrast motivate rather than a racial motive, I still think they over did it. The airbrushing isn't any more extreme than the other models, but I do think they over did the lightening.
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