Kerry Washington's Cover Pic—Marie Claire Gets it Right

Kerry Washington looking like herself on the April issue of Marie Claire. Photo Tesh for Marie Claire

When Scandal actress Kerry Washington posted her March InStyle cover on social media, she said she was “THRILLED!” to share it. However, the response to the photo showing Washington with noticeably lighter skin and digitally altered features took a very different tone. Fans were outraged about the seemingly unnatural cover and wondered why the magazine needed to excessively change Washington’s skin color and features. On the cover, the 38-year-old star looked like a different person altogether.

Who’s that girl? Kerry Washington looking like someone else on the March cover of InStyle. Photo Jan Welters for InStyle

InStyle apologized to fans blaming poor lighting as the culprit:“While we did not digitally lighten Kerry’s skin tone, our cover lighting has likely contributed to this concern. We understand that this has resulted in disappointment and hurt. We are listening and the feedback has been valuable.” Kerry responded on Twitter saying “Thank u 4 opening this convo. It’s an important 1 that needs to be had.”

In the April cover story, Washington revealed to Lena Dunham that she never thought she was pretty growing up. Photo Tesh for Marie Claire

Now, Marie Claire just released their sneak peek of the April issue with Washington gracing the cover, and she looks stunning. She also looks just like herself. Is there the usual retouching that goes on in the magazine world? Probably. Except the art department at Marie Claire has made sure that her skin tone and beautiful features are staying true to her real look.

Girls star Lena Dunham interviewed Washington for the issue who shared her thoughts on privacy, motherhood, and beauty.  ”I didn’t grow up thinking I was pretty; there was always a prettier girl than me,” said Washington who attended the Spence school in Manhattan with Gwyneth Paltrow. “So I learned to be smart and tried to be funny and develop the inside of me, because I felt like that’s what I had.”