{blackbabes} InStyle slammed for 'lightening' Kerry Washington's skin tone

Kerry Washington's March cover of InStyle magazine is causing its own brand of "Scandal."

Several fans expressed outrage over the actress' allegedly lightened skin tone and altered facial features after she released the image via Instagram on Wednesday night, saying she was "THRILLED" to share it.

One fan wrote, "Very sad to see this cover. Way too much photoshop!!" while another posted, "Looks like a white woman with no cheekbones." (via Cosmopolitan). "Why would you lighten her skin that much?! She is gorgeous just the way she is!!!!" posted another commenter.

The fashion magazine responded with a statement on its website on Thursday, saying Washington's skin tone was not digitally lightened.

'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.'

The "Scandal" star, 38, later called the magazine's statement "beautiful." She tweeted, "Thank u 4 opening this convo. Its an important 1 that needs to be had."

InStyle Statement

http://news.instyle.com/2015/02/05/from-instyle-on-kerry-washingtons-cover/

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.