Beyoncé has once again come under the scanner for appearing many shades lighter than her actual colour. A new promo from her fourth album shows the pop singer posing seductively on a couch.
In the new photo shot before her pregnancy, Beyoncé dons a blonde wig and strikes a sensuous pose as she lies on a leopard print couch in a skimpy black monokini.
The Single Ladies singer had sparked a controversy back in 2008 as well when she had appeared much fairer in a L'oreal advertisement. The beauty brand had been accused of 'whitewashing' the star, reports the Daily Mail.
It has also been alleged that the 30-year-old star had been asked to use skin-lightening products in her Destiny's Child days by none other than her dad, Matthew Knowles. Some fear that this may give the wrong signal to African and Asian girls.
It has also been alleged that the 30-year-old star had been asked to use skin-lightening products in her Destiny's Child days by none other than her dad, Matthew Knowles. Some fear that this may give the wrong signal to African and Asian girls.
Experts, however, told The Sun that the appearance may be the result of studio lighting techniques.
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Last year Elle magazine had been accused of lightening actor Aishwarya Rai's already fair complexion as well. Coincidentally, the former Miss World is also a brand ambassador for L'oreal.
Critics' opinion
"Too many black and Asian children grow up understanding the sad truth that to have dark skin is to be somehow inferior...But when black celebrities appear to deny their heritage by trying to make themselves look white, I despair for the youngsters who see those images," writer Yasmin Alibhai-Brown had told the Daily Mail as she accused Beyonce of 'betraying all Black and Asian women.'