'I wouldn't endanger my health that way': India.Arie hits back at allegations of lightening her skin on cover of her latest single
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India.Arie is known for her lyrics praising self-acceptance and beauty.
Lightened up: India.Arie (seen here in October) is being accused of lightening her skin on the cover of her latest single
Her song Video, which launched her to fame in 2001, talks about eschewing societal norms that require women to think they need to look like a supermodel.
'Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be,' she sings. 'And I know our creator didn't make no mistakes on me/My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes - I'm lovin' what I see.'
So for the 37-year-old singer to be accused of trying to alter her image, it's no wonder the internet was taken aback by lighter-skinned look on the cover of her latest single, Cocoa Butter.
The picture shows India's skin looking noticeably different as she poses in a black and brown mini dress against a similarly golden-hued background.
Fans took to Twitter to voice their opinion against the image, claiming she had purposefully lightened her skin.
'India Arie been bleaching something serious hadn't she?' user @Da1nOnlyCMart posted.
'India arie ur supposed to be the champion for darker women, Im so disappointed in u!' @MeLaMachinko wrote.
'It's not the lights, even if it's make up,' rapper Rhymefest chimed in. 'Why India Arie1? This isn't You!
'India Arie should've played Nina Simone but when the industry robs our dark sisters they turn into this,' he continued, also posting a picture of her album title.
But the singer cleared the air on Friday, tweeting that she was moved to laughter by the accusations that she would change up her looks.
'Personally speaking,' India began, 'I'm happy to say I have NOT BLEACHED my skin LOL! ROTF at the thought.'
Noticeable change: Fans took fault with India's lightened skin, which she said was because of camera lighting
She then said that her concern for her health - many lightening products use mercury, a toxic agent that is known to cause psychiatric, neurological and kidney problems - was another reason she would never choose to change her skin colour.
'1. I wouldn't endanger my health that way 2. i'm so in love with myself I have no DESIRE to BLEACH myself,' she wrote.
She acknowledged that her skin appeared to look a few shades lighter in the photograph and offered a two-part explanation: '3. The GLOW you see IS (magnificent) lighting 4. THE LIGHT you see, Well that's all ME!!'
Her image: The 37-year-old singer is known for her self-affirming lyrics
India also addressed the political issue behind skin lightening, which has long been seen as a problem within the Black community.
'Politically speaking racism/colorism in the black community is a MUUUUUUUCH larger... THAT I'd LOVE to ''shed light on''..that conversation IS REAL, ...let's keep talking,' she wrote.
'I love my #brownskin more than EVER! MUUUUUUUCH longer conversation.'
Other Twitter users stepped up to defend the singer after media outlets picked up on the controversy.
'She is not her skin,' @BobTheNigerian wrote.
'Some people make a big deal out of anything just to have news! SMH India girl do your thing we love [you] always,' said fan @ILoveIndiaArie.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2301406/India-Arie-hits-allegations-lightening-skin-cover-latest-single-Cocoa-Butter.html#ixzz2P4TMuIOs
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