Cover Controversy: Kerry Washington And ‘InStyle’ Address Skin Lightening

Kerry Washington and InStyle magazine have their own cover controversy on their hands. Both the Scandal star and the magazine have addressed the controversy surrounding her cover for the magazine’s March issue. Washington received backlash from fans after she shared the photo on Instagram. Some fans were angry because they believed that Washington’s skin color was lightened for the InStyle cover.

InStyle issued a statement following the backlash on Thursday. They addressed the skin lightening controversy on their website.

“We are super fans of Kerry Washington here at InStyle. To feature her on the cover of our March spring fashion issue is both an honor and a delight. We have heard from those who have spoken out about our newsstand cover photograph, concerned that Kerry’s skin tone was lightened.

“While we did not digitally lighten Kerry’s skin tone, our cover lighting has likely contributed to this concern. We understand that this has resulted in disappointment and hurt. We are listening, and the feedback has been valuable. We are committed to ensuring that this experience has a positive influence on the ways in which we present all women going forward.”

Kerry also took to Twitter to address the controversy surrounding her InStyle cover.

The actress complimented InStyle’s public statement. Kerry wrote, “Thank u 4 opening this convo. Its an important 1 that needs to be had.” [Sic]

Kerry Washington was obviously happy about her cover of InStyle magazine that she had to share it with her fans on Instagram.

She included the caption, “I’m THRILLED to share with you all that I’m on the cover of this year’s March @instylemagazine! Can’t wait for you guys to see it and read it! So honored. And crazy excited.”

Kerry Washington’s InStyle magazine cover had fans commenting about the controversial cover. Some fans said that Washington barely look recognizable on the cover. Other fans think she was a victim of too much Photoshop, according to a report on the Inquisitr. Not only did they share their unhappiness over the photo on Washington’s official Instagram account, fans also gave InStyle magazine a few pieces of their minds as well.

This is not the first time Kerry received backlash for a bad magazine cover. She also barely looked recognizable on the cover of Lucky magazine in November 2013. Kerry’s face appeared narrower and the lightning seemed to have changed her features. Kerry wasn’t concerned with her Lucky cover then. She tweeted the image with the caption, “WOOO HOO!” and made the cover her Twitter avatar.

[Images: InStyle, Lucky Magazine]