Kerry Washington Stands Up Against Excessive Photoshop

by Danniah Daher

Kerry Washington is ADWEEK’s most recent cover girl. And she has a lot to say about it.

The Scandal star appeared on the magazine cover in a black and white striped gown with matching zig zaggy heels, elegantly posed, her thick black hair pulled back to reveal a beautiful face—a face that didn’t remotely resemble her own.

The face on the cover, although pristine and lovely, does not look like Washington. Something is different, something we can’t quite pinpoint. Her bone structure? The eyes? Her perfectly-shaped, petite forehead? 

FullSizeRender 1 copy

 

The actress took to Instagram to discuss her feelings about the intense photoshopping.

 

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

A photo posted by Kerry Washington (@kerrywashington) on

“So… You know me. I’m not one to be quiet about a magazine cover. I always celebrate it when a respectful 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 Photoshop. 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.”  -Kerry Washington

 

Image: Facebook/Kerry Washington

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