Gabourey Sidibe’s Elle Magazine Cover: Why Was Her Skin Lightened?

Gabourey Sidibe appears on the cover of the October 2010 issue of Elle magazine. The feature regards her as one of the mag’s favorite 25-something entertainers. But while the title is something to be proud of, it seems the cover isn’t.

Elle magazine is under fire for allegedly lightening the skin of the actress.

Of course, they are denying this, saying:

“We have four separate covers this month and Gabby’s cover was not retouched any more or less than the others.”

Editor-in-chief Robbie Myers said,

“It sort of boils down to this: at a photo shoot, in a studio, that is a fashion shoot, that’s glamorous, the lighting is different. The photography is different than a red carpet shot from a paparazzi.”

But here Gabourey is in Harper’s BAZAAR (below), another high-fashion, “glamourous” magazine, and her skin color looks as it naturally would.

The other three covers that Myers speaks of feature actresses Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried, and reality show star, author and fashion designer Lauren Conrad – all white women with, as expected, petite bodies.

It should be noted as well that while the other three girls received a full body shot for their cover photos (see below), Gabourey scored only a close-up – from her bosom to her hairline (which, by the way, may be rocking the worst-looking weave known to man).

While the other three ladies strike a sassy pose – frail arms, tiny waists, and trendy outfits center stage – Gaboure

y is awkwardly squeezed into her frame, shortchanging the rest of her curves.

What should we complain about first?

That she didn’t receive the same treatment in terms of hair, styling or make-up?

That her skin has, without a doubt, been lightened despite Elle’s denial?

Or that her body type didn’t receive as much shine as the rest?

And lastly, it’s obvious that we should be disappointed, but should we really be surprised?

Teachers in trouble after honoring O.J. Simpson, Dennis Rodman and RuPaul for Black History Month

LOS ANGELES - Three Los Angeles elementary school teachers accused of giving children portraits of O.J. Simpson, Dennis Rodman and RuPaul to carry in a Black History Month parade have been removed from their classrooms, a school district spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Children from other classes at the school displayed photos of more appropriate black role models, such as Nelson Mandela, Harriet Tubman and President Obama, Los Angeles Unified School District spokeswoman Gayle Pollard-Terry said.

The incident occurred Friday at Wadsworth Avenue Elementary School in South Los Angeles, where the student body is more than 90 percent Latino.

District Superintendent Ramon Cortines placed the teachers - all white men who teach first, second and fourth grades - on administrative leave on Tuesday while an investigation is conducted, Pollard-Terry said.

"The superintendent will not let anyone make a mockery out of Black History Month," she said.

The issue was brought to district officials' attention by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People after the organization received a complaint early Monday, chapter President Leon Jenkins said.

Jenkins said he felt the teachers acted in concert to mock black heroes and children's innocence.

"These are not the people we want our young people to emulate or believe these people represent the best of the African-American community," Jenkins said. "It's hard for the NAACP to believe this was a mistake."

Simpson, a former American football star, is serving a nine-year prison sentence for robbery and kidnapping. He was famously acquitted in 1995 of murdering his ex-wife and her friend.

RuPaul is a drag queen performer. Rodman, a former basketball star, has gained notoriety for bad boy behavior on and off the basketball court.

Some parents at the school on Wednesday said the issue was overblown.

Sharon Tinson, who has two daughters at the school and attended Friday's celebration, said she had been surprised to see Simpson displayed in the parade. But she noted that Simpson, like Rodman, was a great athlete before falling from grace. RuPaul simply has an alternative lifestyle, she added.

She noted the event also included a tribute to pop singer Michael Jackson, who has also had a checkered career.

"I kind of laughed at it," Tinson said. "I wasn't offended."

Gabriel Blackson, whose son attends the school, said he also took a larger view of the ruckus.

"These guys were heroes before. People make mistakes," he said. "I think they show kids they can be somebody, to push them to be somebody."

Jenkins said he is calling for the teachers to be fired.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/03/04/2010-03-04_teachers_in_trouble_after_honoring_oj_simpson_dennis_rodman_and_rupaul_for_black.html#ixzz0hoYrRXsF