Beyonce Darkens Her Skin (BLACK FACE) For French Magazine, Draws Criticism From Some. Is This Offensive To You? [Video + Pics]

"Blackface is more than just burnt cork applied as makeup. It is a style of entertainment based on racist Black stereotypes that began in minstrel shows and continues to this day." Black-Face.com

Blackface has long been condemned as racist. Typically done on the late 1800's when white actors would darken their skin, then proceed to "shuck and jive" pretending to be African American, much to the amusement of white audiences.

But is it the same if a black person does it?

French fashion magazine L'Officiel Paris chose Beyonce as the cover girl for it's 90th anniversary edition.

The singer/actress appears in dark skinned makeup. And that upset who think it's too much like blackface.

L'Officiel Paris has issued a statement assuring the makeup was worn voluntarily by Beyonce.

"Far from the glamorous Sasha Fierce [Beyonce's alter-ego], the beauty posed for the magazine with amazing fashion designers' clothes, but also in a dress created by her mother. A return to her African roots, as you can see in the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened. All the pictures will be available in the collector edition, on sale at the end of this month."

Beyonce is said to have been inspired to use to the dark makeup as a tribute to Nigerian musician and political activist Fela Kuti.

B's husband Jay-Z co-produced the broadway musical 'Fela!' about Kuti, along with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Is this a big deal about nothing or very offensive to you? Sound off in the comment section and vote.

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Comment by Lemara Tone on February 25, 2011 at 3:34am: Some celi wil do anything to get a quick dollar even if it mean stooping low, adding insult to injury and stepping on their roots. Over the years beyonce bleached her skin check this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:I_Am..._Tour_31.jpg this photo of her was in nov 2009. and look at her now u can obviously see the difference

@Loveli u ave asked the right question of y didnt they jus get a naturally really dark skinned person to do it.

This s*** all boils down to fame and money

Comment by Ericka victoria on February 25, 2011 at 2:17am: it is make up simple beauty is variety people need to stop being so closed minded

Comment by Bajanman55 on February 25, 2011 at 1:34am: People get all bent out of shape when these celebrities to something outrageous. Most people do not care what Beyonce does. She and her husband are worth over $800 Million dollars. Most people are worried about their job, health care, and their kids. I am more concern about what the Republicans are trying to do the poor and middle class people than about Beyonce wearing black face.

Comment by Bombahdrop on February 25, 2011 at 12:25am: @S.Young lol u see that right i said the same thing what the hell happened when they got to the chest area and imagine the rest of her body is lighter than her face and shoulders lol this is very contraversal indeed i dont like it what is she trying to say she ain't black enough cause now she looks like a zebra

Comment by JamRockLady on February 24, 2011 at 9:58pm: ...why does this blog seem familiar to me???

Comment by Richard on February 24, 2011 at 9:51pm: In this day and age, How far we have came, still the some in this world would love to take us 100 years backwards!

Comment by S. Young on February 24, 2011 at 9:34pm: It's disturbing. With all of this light skinned/dark skinned "bleaching of the skin" nonsense still going on I don't like it. Not a good look at all and they didn't even blend the foundation properly.."Mammy".. smdh!!!

Comment by Loveli on February 24, 2011 at 4:10pm: hhmm.. if they wanted the model to look like a real african to model their african garments.. then they should have gotten a naturally dark-complexion model.. but they wanted a celebrity to pretend to be dark..i dont like the idea..