Kerry Washington isn’t pleased with the cover of Adweek, and she’s come out to say so.
The “Scandal” star took to Instagram to address the cover, which she says looks different than how she looks in real life.
“It felt strange to look at a picture of myself that is so different from what I look like when I look in the mirror. It’s an unfortunate feeling,” she wrote.
The “Confirmation” actress also made clear her appreciation for Adweek, saying that when any respected publication invites her to “grace their pages,” it’s an honor, also adding that’s she’s “no stranger to photoshopping.”
“It happens a lot. In a way, we have become a society of picture adjusters – who doesn’t love a filter?!?” she wrote on her Instagram post.
She also encouraged fans to read her article and thanked them for being patient while she “figured out how to post this in a way that felt both celebratory and honest.”
“So…You know me. I’m not one to be quiet about a magazine cover. I always celebrate it when a respected publication invites me to grace their pages. It’s an honor. And a privilege. And ADWEEK is no exception. I love ADWEEK. It’s a publication I appreciate. And learn from. I’ve long followed them on Twitter. And when they invited me to do a cover, I was excited and thrilled. And the truth is, I’m still excited. I’m proud of the article. And I like some of the inside images a great deal. But, I have to be honest…I was taken aback by the cover. Look, I’m no stranger to Photoshopping. It happens a lot. In a way, we have become a society of picture adjusters – who doesn’t love a filter?!? And I don’t always take these adjustments to task but I have had the opportunity to address the impact of my altered image in the past and I think it’s a valuable conversation. Yesterday, however, I just felt weary. It felt strange to look at a picture of myself that is so different from what I look like when I look in the mirror. It’s an unfortunate feeling. That being said. You all have been very kind and supportive. Also, as I’ve said, I’m very proud of the article. There are a few things we discussed in the interview that were left out. Things that are important to me (like: the importance of strong professional support and my awesome professional team) and I’ve been thinking about how to discuss those things with anyone who is interested, in an alternate forum. But until then…Grab this week’s ADWEEK. Read it. I hope you enjoy it. And thank you for being patient with me while I figured out how to post this in a way that felt both celebratory and honest. XOXOXOX”
Her rep declined to comment beyond the actress’ social media posts.
Later on Tuesday, Adweek editorial director Jim Cooper responded to the controversy on his Twitter. “Happy @kerrywashington was proud of her Adweek profile, sad cover misses for her. Added volume to hair for dramatic effect. No disrespect,” he wrote.
This won’t be the first time Washington has been at the center of a Photoshop issues.
Last year, when she was on the cover of InStyle magazine, fans were angered, complaining that her skin was lightened and that she looked unrecognizable.
InStyle responded to the backlash with the following statement:
“We are super fans of Kerry Washington here at InStyle. To feature her on the cover of our March spring fashion issue is both an honor and a delight. We have heard from those who have spoken out about our newsstand cover photograph, concerned that Kerry’s skin tone was lightened. While we did not digitally lighten Kerry’s skin tone, our cover lighting has likely contributed to this concern. We understand that this has resulted in disappointment and hurt. We are listening, and the feedback has been valuable. We are committed to ensuring that this experience has a positive influence on the ways in which we present all women going forward.”
Washington then tweeted back at InStyle saying, “Beautiful statement. Thank u 4 opening this convo. It’s an important 1 that needs to be had.”
Washington is among many celebrities who feel they’ve been misrepresented by the use of Photoshop. Iggy Azalea tweeted a photo of herself for Schön! magazine that showed her considerably slimmer saying, “Love it, but i much prefer the picture before they photoshopped my thighs and hips to seem skinnier.”
Washington will star in HBO’s “Confirmation” as Anita Hill. The film airs on April 16.
Source; THR
