So ‘Precious’ star Gabourey Sibide made the October cover of ELLE magazine, but instead of celebrating that remarkable achievement, critics choose to complain that the cover was Photoshopped to make Gabby light skinned.
So what? Doesn’t Beyonce Photoshop her skin to look lighter all the time and she’s not even dark skinned?
…there’s something off in Sidibe’s cover photo. Sidibe’s skin is noticeably lighter than usual. Elle clearly couldn’t handle Sidibe’s real skin color, and traded away her actual color for something dramatically lighter.
It’s a common, tired practice, and the routine is well-practiced: beauty companies and fashion magazines regularly lighten women’s skin (and darken the faces of black men), pissed off consumers shout back, and sometimes an apology is issued. But come the next fall collection or election season, photo retouchers are inevitably back to trying to make women of color more attractive by lightening them, and darkening the skin of men of color to make them seem more dangerous and suspect. Color, still, is everything.
The writer also disparages ELLE magazine for “cropping Sidibe’s cover photo so close” in order to hide her full-figured body, which the writer called a “travesty.”
I guess it doesn’t matter that ELLE bucked a longstanding fashion industry tradition of treating dark skinned heavy set women like they didn’t exist.
I choose to celebrate the fact that Gabby — a dark skinned, full-figured woman — made the cover of ELLE. Especially after shock jock Howard Stern famously announced that Gabourey Sidibe would never work again because she was “the most enormous fat black chick” he’d ever seen.
Good for Gabby!
She’s still not “light-skinned” in that pic.
Good for her for making the cover. I like the pic on the right better.
*sigh* You can’t please everybody. People worry about the wrong isht. Team Gabby over this bish!
Good for her for breaking down the barrier with Elle.
I don’t like that they lightened her skin but the fact that she’s on the cover is a huge accomplishment & a good start. Congrats Gabby
It’s the lighting. Some people just go on and on about nothing. Now that hideous lacefront is another thing all together.
i hadn’t even noticed that she seemed lighter. all i could see was that horrible wig sitting atop her head
i suppose it’s a big accomplishment, but really i don’t care one way or another who’s on the cover.
Its nice that she made the cover. Give it time and next people will be complaining about her weight again.
candibfly says:
i hadn’t even noticed that she seemed lighter. all i could see was that horrible wig sitting atop her head
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Get out of my head!!! That was the same exact thing I was thinking….
yeah I don’t like it. ANd the hair is HORRIBLE. COngratz to her for getting the cover but at what cost? She shouldn’t be satisfied with it either.
I still don’t like either picture
I read somewhere that she has nerve to be stuck up go figure 
I’m mad they have her on the cover looking like a cabbage patch doll….Kid Sister even…They are soooooo wrong for this!!!!
GOOD MORNING FAM,
@BIRD IT IS HORRIBLE AND IT LOOKS OLD, BUT I THINK THEY WERE TRYING TO GIVE HER THE HAIR BLOWIN IN THE WIND EFFECT WHICH MAKES IT LOOK WORSE.
Goood morntine SR Community
You all are some funny Merder Flerkers on this site! I laugh at something you guys say everyday! Glad to be a part!
jazi65 says:
I don’t like that they lightened her skin but the fact that she’s on the cover is a huge accomplishment & a good start. Congrats Gabby
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I agree.
i think it’s all about saying they did something. there’s public outcry, why aren’t there people of color or people that aren’t rail thin on the cover. now they can go back and say look we had one on the cover, seeee.
true it’s an accomplishment of sorts but i’m more interested in seeing if this sets a trend or if it’s a one time thing.
Danielle84 says:
I still don’t like either picture I read somewhere that she has nerve to be stuck up go figure
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I HEARD THE SAME THING…IT WAS ON TMZ WHEN ONE OF THE PHOTOGRAPHERS TOLD HER THAT SHE LOOKED NICE AND SHE RESPONDED “I KNOW” AND KEPT WALKING. THEN SOMEONE GAVE HER FLOWERS AND SHE REACTED LIKE EWWWW AND SHE TOLD SOMEONE “YOU CAN HAVE THESE I DONT WANT THEM”.
ummm fuk the light skin what the fuk is wrong with the hair it looks like its going to fly away!!!
Cosign the wig comments. They didn’t even try.
GOOD MORNING SR FAM
The writer also disparages ELLE magazine for “cropping Sidibe’s cover photo so close” in order to hide her full-figured body,
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I don’t think they cropped the photo at all, it’s an 8×11 magazine cover, not a billboard, what did the writer expect.
I just don’t like the cover at all. IDK what it is, but I just don’t like it.
Please…u can’t hide her full-figuredness.
Morning Fam!
Ms. Thickness says:
GOOD MORNING FAM,
@BIRD IT IS HORRIBLE AND IT LOOKS OLD, BUT I THINK THEY WERE TRYING TO GIVE HER THE HAIR BLOWIN IN THE WIND EFFECT WHICH MAKES IT LOOK WORSE
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If this is the case, the photographer shouldn’t have zoomed in so close. Honestly, I feel in the pictures I’ve seen her in the stylists simply did not take the time to find clothing that accentuates her curves. And that wig, it’s absolutely horrible! It looks matted as hell. Why put her on the cover like this?
Morning my SR e-family. This is news?
I cant even try to believe that she’s stuck up…….whyyyyyyyyyy?
I hate to be mean but I’ve never seen this woman look right. Her hair is always off and her clothes do nothing for her. I know Gabby’s size makes it harder to find stylish clothes but they could do something with her hair.
@YVONNE THATS BECAUSE ITS A SYNTHETIC HAIR AND NOT ONE OF THOSE GOOD HUMANHAIR LACEFRONTS. LOOKS LIKE SHE HAD THAT BISH ON SINCE PRECIOUS FIRST CAME OUT.
Where is the 2nd “L”, did she eat it
LaTechGrad02 says:
I don’t think they cropped the photo at all, it’s an 8×11 magazine cover, not a billboard, what did the writer expect.
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i met her monday at jay z concert she was very nice in person
Ms. Thickness says:
@YVONNE THATS BECAUSE ITS A SYNTHETIC HAIR AND NOT ONE OF THOSE GOOD HUMANHAIR LACEFRONTS. LOOKS LIKE SHE HAD THAT BISH ON SINCE PRECIOUS FIRST CAME OUT.
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Girl! Did they have this wig in a trunk? There weren’t any beauty supply stores within a 10 mile radius. The stylist had to result to this wig? I wouldn’t even want this mess on my head and I’m ordinary people. I am so disgusted…….
yvonne79 says:
I’m mad they have her on the cover looking like a cabbage patch doll….Kid Sister even…They are soooooo wrong for this!!!!
OHoney says:
Morning my SR e-family. This is news? I cant even try to believe that she’s stuck up…….whyyyyyyyyyy?
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I can’t try either to believe she is stuck up, but I too heard she is. How? Why? Why? How?
Ebony says:

Where is the 2nd “L”, did she eat it
September 15, 2010 at 9:33 am
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Joe Zee who is the creative director is Asian…and he has is really someone who isn’t in the “I’m gonna always put thin/white girls on the cover” thing…the writer of this commentary is dumb as hell. You KNOW every magazine cover is retouched…as the first commenter said, that doesn’t even qualified is light skinned…and because those comments are dumb, I believe its not going to reach anywhere further than this blog
I’m more bothered by that atrocious, nappy a$$, “I’m gonna get you sucka” wig perched atop her head.
Gabby is a PRETTY big girl – and I truly believe that someone chose this look purposely just like they did with Jennifer Hudson and that troublesome a$$ Vogue cover <– I have never seen a more UNappealing cover for a celbrity in my life!
Hello All. Hereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee we go again with this light-skinned-ed sh!t! And what does Bey have to do with this picture? IMO, the picture on the right is much, much better, she actually looks cute and not contrived. IMO.
I hate to be mean but I’ve never seen this woman look right. Her hair is always off and her clothes do nothing for her. I know Gabby’s size makes it harder to find stylish clothes but they could do something with her hair.

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And there u have it!
Where is the 2nd “L”, did she eat it

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Congrats gabby but that wig looks horrible
eastpointvet says:
i met her monday at jay z concert she was very nice in person
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JLo is signed to be a judge on AI, $12 million. It has not been reported for one yr or several yrs. Wouldn’t it have been cheaper to keep Paula?
Nice to know. Some ppl can’t afford not to be nice. Save being a Diva for someone who has been a celeb longer, it’s more expected.
Ebony says:
Where is the 2nd “L”, did she eat it
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JESUS KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS CAUSE I THINK SHE TRYING TO KILL ME…BUT
THEY NEVER HAD A MODEL THAT BIG ON THE COVER SO THEY NEVER THOUGHT THEY WOULD MISS SOME LETTERING IN THEIR NAME..HENCE THEM PUTTING IT SMALLER ON THE SIDE.
One minute we’re dogging chicks for “lightening” their skin, the next we’re saying “what’s the big deal”…stop being hypocrits
Take one stance and stick to it…
I don’t think they photoshopped her skin lighter, it looks like she was in a studio and the lighting was real bright. When we see people out, we don’t always see their true color cause of lighting. Everyone’s skin tone looks different under professional photog lighting.
her hair looks heavy
The cover doesn’t look right, on purpose. That’s all I will say.
what in the hamburgerlera rubble rubble hell is going on on this cover!!!!!
yall STOP that BS about they trying to be artistic and we should be happy elle putting us on the cover BS … YT love love love the jigaboo, mammy, big mamma image she look a steaming hot mess with that discount korean wig on those bastards could have called mr jay to top model this girl out and lighting be DAMNED they didnt have to make her look like that Jesus take the wheel and drop me off on peachtree st
Khunfuzion says:
I don’t think they photoshopped her skin lighter, it looks like she was in a studio and the lighting was real bright. When we see people out, we don’t always see their true color cause of lighting. Everyone’s skin tone looks different under professional photog lighting.
I choose to celebrate the fact that Gabby — a dark skinned, full-figured woman — made the cover of ELLE.
I’m mad they have her on the cover looking like a cabbage patch doll….Kid Sister even…They are soooooo wrong for this!!!!
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I think it’s the lightening too! You can be voted the most beautiful person in the world or a vetern in the entertainment industry but stuck up/diva ways are unattractive no matter who has them!!
@ebony GET IN THE HOUSE
Khunfuzion says:
I don’t think they photoshopped her skin lighter, it looks like she was in a studio and the lighting was real bright. When we see people out, we don’t always see their true color cause of lighting. Everyone’s skin tone looks different under professional photog lighting.
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I agree, being under the lights a few times myself I have been known to look like a yella bone LMAO j/k not that light but u get the point
pinksghetti says:
The cover doesn’t look right, on purpose. That’s all I will say.
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Ditto.
What reason is this behemoth on Elle magazine? I didn’t know they did medical articles. That’s the only possible reason they could cover this mastadon.
The best
Grimace*ahem* Gabby can hope for is small bit parts like “the friend” and “fat-girl-extra-at-the-burger-joint” type chit.I am sure that the lighting did prolly make her skin a little brighter, as well as her eyes, lips, etc. But that picture right there….was AIRBRUSHED!
I have been in a few magazines, and I’m brown-skinned, but I was definitely about two shades lighter in those photos. I had a mole that was removed also.
Her hair is awful, but congrats to her for making the cover!
Oh, and
Man, I just don’t care™ says:
What reason is this behemoth on Elle magazine?
HEY NEWBIES please dont mind the random phuckery always going on in the comment sections!!!!!
I am happy for her but I am still offended they lightened her up. Not a good look and Black women should be offended and I applaud the couscous one for speaking up!
lexdiamonz says:
what in the hamburgerlera rubble rubble hell is going on on this cover!!!!!
yall STOP that BS about they trying to be artistic and we should be happy elle putting us on the cover BS … YT love love love the jigaboo, mammy, big mamma image she look a steaming hot mess with that discount korean wig on those bastards could have called mr jay to top model this girl out and lighting be DAMNED they didnt have to make her look like that Jesus take the wheel and drop me off on peachtree st
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I’m glad you said it because I want thinking it (not in those exact words though, LOL).
Thanks @Lex and @Thickness! Im used to all of the “random phuckery” going on up in here….I’m just finally glad I get to say my piece!
@Proberson07, I actually WAS offended when I saw how light my skin was, and that they had airbrushed my mole off. I mean, it wasn’t a big ugly mole or anything, but it was gone! I mean, they were BLACK hair mags afterall…glad to be in them, but I embrace my Honey…
She looked a hot mess anyways – light or dark, cropped or megapixeled!
yvonne79 says:
I’m mad they have her on the cover looking like a cabbage patch doll….Kid Sister even…They are soooooo wrong for this!!!!
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Ebony says:
Where is the 2nd “L”, did she eat it
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To all the newbies
Has Elle magazine ever had a fine dark-skinned woman on the cover like Lanisha Cole?
I really believe some folks in the media love to push the stereotypical “fat black female” image to the masses for whatever reason. Maybe other races get their jollies by seing black women as large as Gabby.
And did anyone see the Safe Auto insurance commercial with Lady Re-run? SMDH
WTF is the purpose of this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcg9Gj1bsMM
This again…when will people get over it! Seriously??? Everyone can look different depending on lighting, camera angles, flash, etc. so why is anyone making this an issue. If you look through my facebook album i’m all types of different colors in pictures.
Some people are stupid and should get a life if complaining about a non-issue is pleasing to them. 
MissGauzzz says:
i know ya’ll are gonna get me… but *sigh* i don’t like the way she looks. i NEVER like the way she looks. i’m all for big and beautiful but this girl is too big. sorry that’s just how i feel. she always looks a mess! and those wigs DO. HER. NO. JUSTICE.
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I’m in total agreement!
Sandra. when they photoshop beyonce to look like a white girl people have complained…sooooo they are only doing her the same way….
not seeing a difference
amatrex says:
Has Elle magazine ever had a fine dark-skinned woman on the cover like Lanisha Cole?
I really believe some folks in the media love to push the stereotypical “fat black female” image to the masses for whatever reason. Maybe other races get their jollies by seing black women as large as Gabby.
And did anyone see the Safe Auto insurance commercial with Lady Re-run? SMDH WTF is the purpose of this?
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Bravo, you’re another keen observer of media. No diss to the others but some people like to see good intentions even when there aren’t any.
I like the picture of her in the peach colored dress.
Does she have a stylists?
hmmmmmmmm
I don’t think they lightened her skin colour. I think it’s from the lighting in studio that caused her to look lighther. Sometimes, depending on the kind of lighting you are in, your skin colour may look darker or lighter. I’m glad that she was able to make it on the cover, however I think they could have used a better picture. #thatisall
people are too sensitive these days