Photoshopped Lupita Nyong'o cover was a 'monumental mistake' says photographer

The photographer behind the photoshopped Grazia UK cover of Lupita Nyong'o has issued an apology saying it was "an incredibly monumental mistake".

In a statement, An Le took responsibility for altering Nyong'o's hair, claiming the change “was not born out of any hate, but instead out of my own ignorance and insensitivity to the constant slighting of women of colour throughout the different media platforms”.

“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," Le said.

“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.

The Oscar winner took to Twitter to express disappointment that Grazia UK "edited out and smoothed my hair to fit a more Eurocentric notion of what beautiful hair looks like."

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Nyong'o used the hashtag #dtmh which was made popular by Solange Knowles' song, Don't Touch My Hair and was later used by her to criticise The Evening Standard for photoshopping her hair.

She elaborated further with a long Instagram post:

As I have made clear so often in the past with every fiber of my being, I embrace my natural heritage and despite having grown up thinking light skin and straight, silky hair were the standards of beauty, I now know that my dark skin and kinky, coily hair are beautiful too.

Being featured on the cover of a magazine fulfills me as it is an opportunity to show other dark, kinky-haired people, and particularly our children, that they are beautiful just the way they are. I am disappointed that @graziauk invited me to be on their cover and then edited out and smoothed my hair to fit their notion of what beautiful hair looks like.

Had I been consulted, I would have explained that I cannot support or condone the omission of what is my native heritage with the intention that they appreciate that there is still a very long way to go to combat the unconscious prejudice against black women's complexion, hair style and texture.

Here's the photographer's statement in full:

“I’ve had some time to reflect on my part in the incident involving Grazia and Ms Nyong’o. I realise now what an incredibly monumental mistake I have made and I would like to take this time to apologise 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.”