Photographer who altered actress Lupita Nyong'o's natural hair apologises

The photographer who altered the Grazia cover shot of Lupita Nyong'o by 'smoothing' out her natural hair has apologised. The magazine apologised to the Oscar winner after she accused the publication of altering her hair 'to fit a more Eurocentric notion' of beauty. The original photograph featured her natural hair, which is tied back, but this was edited out for the cover photo, which showed her with what looked like a buzz cut.

Photographer An Le, a Vietnamese photographer based in New York, said in a statement:

'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 colour 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.'