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

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

Started
December 29, 2010
Petition to
Chief Stylist, Elle India Edward Lalrempuia and 32 others
Petition Closed
This petition had 50,567 supporters

Why this petition matters

Started by Prerna Lal

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.

Petition Closed

This petition had 50,567 supporters

Share this petition

Share this petition in person or use the QR code for your own material.Download QR Code

Decision Makers

  • Edward LalrempuiaChief Stylist, Elle India
  • Archana PillaiPublisher and CEO, Elle International
  • Nonita KalraEditor, Elle India
  • Takesh MathurCFO, Elle India
  • Priyanka SinghGraphic Designer, Elle India