Elle Magazine: Apologize for Trying to 'Whiten' Indian Skin

Elle Magazine: Apologize for Trying to 'Whiten' Indian Skin

The Issue

It looks like Elle had quite the white Christmas.

Bollywood actor and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is featured on the cover of Elle Magazine looking far paler than she is in real life. Most fans are up in arms and an appalled Ms. Bachchan is considering a lawsuit against the magazine.

Consumers have long been inundated with ads that use prominent Bollywood actors to promote skin-lightening products. In a country that produces gorgeous women of color, it is sad that Ms. Rai-Bachchan, who is relatively light-skinned, is one of the very few with some cross-over appeal.

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To see magazines like Elle further enforce the color hierarchy of crossover appeal by making Aishwarya appear lighter-skinned is a slap in the face.

This is the second racial debacle surrounding Elle. The American version was criticized for its October 2010 issue, which featured actress Gabourey Sidibeon on one of its four celebrity covers with noticeably lighter skin than her natural complexion.

Lets tell Elle Magazine to make a commitment to moving away from using white as a standard for beauty, and demand a public statement and apology.

Winning this campaign depends on our ability to call on thousands of supporters like you. After signing this petition, please follow us on Facebook - just click 'Like' at the top of the page.

avatar of the starter
Prerna LalPetition StarterAs Co-Founder of <a href="http://DreamActivist.org" rel="nofollow">DreamActivist.org</a>, Prerna built a vibrant activist immigrant youth community online that has mobilized thousands into action. She has a graduate degree in International Relations and obtained a Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School in May 2013. She serves on the board of Immigration Equality. Contact email - prerna@prernalal.com
This petition had 50,457 supporters

The Issue

It looks like Elle had quite the white Christmas.

Bollywood actor and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is featured on the cover of Elle Magazine looking far paler than she is in real life. Most fans are up in arms and an appalled Ms. Bachchan is considering a lawsuit against the magazine.

Consumers have long been inundated with ads that use prominent Bollywood actors to promote skin-lightening products. In a country that produces gorgeous women of color, it is sad that Ms. Rai-Bachchan, who is relatively light-skinned, is one of the very few with some cross-over appeal.

Get very occasional campaign updates on Facebook - just click like at the top of the page.

To see magazines like Elle further enforce the color hierarchy of crossover appeal by making Aishwarya appear lighter-skinned is a slap in the face.

This is the second racial debacle surrounding Elle. The American version was criticized for its October 2010 issue, which featured actress Gabourey Sidibeon on one of its four celebrity covers with noticeably lighter skin than her natural complexion.

Lets tell Elle Magazine to make a commitment to moving away from using white as a standard for beauty, and demand a public statement and apology.

Winning this campaign depends on our ability to call on thousands of supporters like you. After signing this petition, please follow us on Facebook - just click 'Like' at the top of the page.

avatar of the starter
Prerna LalPetition StarterAs Co-Founder of <a href="http://DreamActivist.org" rel="nofollow">DreamActivist.org</a>, Prerna built a vibrant activist immigrant youth community online that has mobilized thousands into action. She has a graduate degree in International Relations and obtained a Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School in May 2013. She serves on the board of Immigration Equality. Contact email - prerna@prernalal.com

The Decision Makers

Edward Lalrempuia
Edward Lalrempuia
Chief Stylist, Elle India
Kavita Bhartia
Kavita Bhartia
Vice-Chairperson, Elle India
Nonita Kalra
Nonita Kalra
Editor-In-Chief, Elle India
Pramiti Madhavji
Pramiti Madhavji
Editor in Chief, Elle India
Archana Pillai
Archana Pillai
Publisher and CEO, Elle International

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Petition created on December 29, 2010