UK Edition
Lupita Nyong'o photographer says sorry for airbrushing Grazia cover
The photographer whose airbrushed image of Lupita Nyong’o prompted a storm of controversy has apologised for his “unbelievably damaging and hurtful act”.
An Le said he was “deeply sorry” for altering the image that appeared on the cover of Grazia magazine.
Nyong’o had published before and after shots on her Instagram page, showing that her natural hair had been airbrushed out.
In a statement, An Le, a Vietnamese photographer based in New York, said: “I’ve had some time to reflect on my part in the incident involving Grazia and Ms Nyong’o. I realize now what an incredibly monumental mistake I have made and I would like to take this time to apologize to Ms Nyong’o and everyone else that I did offend.
“Though it was not my intention to hurt anyone, I can see now that altering the image of her hair was an unbelievably damaging and hurtful act.
“As an immigrant myself, it is my duty to be an advocate for the representation of diversity of beauty in this industry. I will demonstrate this in my work even more going forward.
“My altering of her image was not born out of any hate but instead out of my own ignorance and insensitivity to the constant slighting of women of color throughout the different media platforms.
“There is no excuse for my actions. I deeply regret the pain I’ve caused Ms Nyong’o, a woman I’ve admired for quite some time now. Again, I would like to say I’m deeply sorry to everyone I did offend.
“I want to thank Lupita for addressing this important issue.”
Nyong’o has said she was “disappointed” with Grazia for digitally removing her hair in order to "fit a more Eurocentric notion of what beautiful hair looks like".
Grazia said in a statement: "Grazia is committed to representing diversity throughout its pages and apologises unreservedly to Lupita Nyong’o.
"Grazia magazine would like to make it clear that at no point did they make any editorial request to the photographer for Lupita Nyong'o’s hair to be altered on this week’s cover, nor did we alter it ourselves. But we apologise unreservedly for not upholding the highest of editorial standards in ensuring that that we were aware of all alterations that had been made."