Network

• The Creative Finder
• The Bazaar
• Deals
• Status Is Down

Community

• Sign up / Log in
• Discussion Forums
• Calendar of Events

Image via Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Priyanka Chopra has been called out by social media users after sharing messages of support for the Black Lives Matter movement despite being the face of skin whitening creams.

In a joint statement with her husband Nick Jonas, the tweet read, “The reality of the inequalities in this country, and around the world, are glaring. Systemic racism, bigotry and exclusion have gone on for far too long, and remaining silent not only reinforces it, but it allows it to continue.” The couple also donated to the Equal Justice Initiative to combat racism.

However, Twitter users pointed out that the actress previously promoted skin-whitening creams, and called her a “hypocrite.”

“Pri was the face of skin lightening creams in India. Pri is part of the problem,” a Twitter user said.

Other Bollywood actresses have also been criticized for supporting the movement despite promoting similar products. “These people, especially Indian celebrities, the successful ones, have been endorsing all kind of fairness products and today shamelessly they stand and say black lives matter,” Kangana Ranaut said.

Actor Abhay Deol, however, spoke out against the negative reviews, defending that fairness creams now take on different terms like “skin brightening.”

Pri & I have heavy hearts ... The reality of the inequalities in this country, and around the world, are glaring. Systemic racism, bigotry and exclusion has gone on for far too long, and remaining silent not only reinforces it, but it allows it to continue.

— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) June 3, 2020

The time to take action is NOW. It’s no longer enough to say “I’m not racist”. We must all do the work to be ANTI racist and stand with the black community.

In our first step towards our continued efforts to help fight this fight, Pri and I have donated to the @eji_org & @ACLU.

— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) June 3, 2020

We stand with you and we love you. #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd

— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) June 3, 2020

View this post on Instagram

There is so much work to be done and it needs to starts at an individual level on a global scale. We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves and end this hate. End this race war here in the US, and around the world. Wherever you live, whatever your circumstances, NO ONE deserves to die, especially at the hands of another because of their skin color. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ On May 25th, George Floyd was pinned down by the neck by a Minneapolis police officer and died. He laid there, fighting for his life, struggling to breathe, and other officers just stood there and watched. The officer has now been charged with murder.⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ George, I am praying for your family. ❤️ ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Text “FLOYD” to 55156 and sign the petition. ⁣⁣⁣ #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd

A post shared by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@priyankachopra) on May 29, 2020 at 10:08am PDT

Pri was the face of skin lightening creams in india. Pri is part of the problem pic.twitter.com/MHziEp9OL0

— Ali Baloch ✌🏿✌🏾✌🏻 (@maXes_MB) June 3, 2020

Black lives didn’t matter to Priyanka Chopra when she did ‘fair and lovely’ type adverts for skin lightening. pic.twitter.com/Jq7VKT0rEd

— Junaid (@ibrownlad) June 3, 2020

One thing I can’t stand about Priyanka Chopra is her hypocrisy. It’s great she’s using her platform to raise awareness on BLM but where was that same energy when she was told she was gonna promote a skin lightning cream? The criticism of south asia’s obsession with light skin?

— Ani⁷ 🍂 (@heyitssanii) June 7, 2020

I almost never rant on Twitter but why the fuck are people supporting Priyanka Chopra, a UN ambassador who supported war between two neighboring countries and participated in skin lightening ads which adds to the huge colorism problem in South Asia?? And also never apologized??

— Maheen (@maheen5522) June 9, 2020

When Hasan Minhaj put Priyanka Chopra’s skin lightening ad on blast pic.twitter.com/00jsmbjGVJ

— fariharahman (@rahman_fariha1) June 4, 2020

priyanka chopra and other indian actresses speaking on blm but continuing to work on skin lightening projects and fair and lovely ads: the very hypocrites who shouldn’t have platforms to begin with.

— 𝖕𝖊𝖇⁷ ACAB/🇵🇸 (@bloovmin) June 6, 2020

List of Indian actors who are speaking on BLM and their fairness cream ads, a thread : pic.twitter.com/yUeRNLch6U

— anti pigeon (@aluminiummaiden) May 31, 2020

Here's your rac*st Pri selling skin whitening creams in India pic.twitter.com/O5P7cwqIUt

— Ali Baloch ✌🏿✌🏾✌🏻 (@maXes_MB) June 3, 2020

View this post on Instagram

Overall analysis Fairness creams in India have evolved over the years, from being fairness creams to now using euphemisms like “skin brightening/ whitening”, or “lightening creams”. Most brands no longer want to be associated directly with being termed as 'fairness creams’. So now we have brands selling “HD glow”, “White beauty”, “white glow”, “fine fairness”, and so on. Over the years these companies have turned their attention towards the Indian Men, who are now trying to be "fair and handsome", and have dedicated power white ranges for them too. The hunt for fairness: Neutrogena fine fairness: Could not locate it on their global websites but it is available on Amazon and other sellers:https://www.amazon.in/Neutrogena-Fine-Fairness-Cream-SPF20/dp/B00BSPOXMW/ Ponds have a white beauty range:  The range includes products like anti-spot fairness cream which is available on affiliate websites like Amazon and Nykaa. On their own website could locate just the White beauty cream. https://www.ponds.com/ph/products/collection/white-beauty/day-cream-for-normal-skin.html* Loreal white perfect day cream: Apparently reduces the melanin level in the skin, gives a rosy appearance to your skin and is suitable for all Indian skin types. "reduce skin darkening  and boost anti-spot whitening for a brighter & younger look"https://www.lorealparis.co.in/products/skin-care/day-cream/white-perfect-clinical-day-cream/ Recently, Procter & Gamble skincare brand Olay announced that it will no longer retouch skin in its advertising by 2021 because it reflects an idea of beauty which is almost impossible to achieve. The statement was made during an event in New York. In March 2019, Olay also came up with a creative campaign #FaceAnything with @masabagupta @kubbrasait , @lilly, @bikewithgirl and @_payalsoni_ #Fairandlovely #prejudice #racism #fairskinobsession #fairnesscreams #kalagora #flawlessskin #hdglow #whiteness #complexion #skintone #shades #pearlextracts #microcrystals #ayurveda

A post shared by Abhay Deol (@abhaydeol) on Jun 5, 2020 at 4:39am PDT

[via Gulf Today, opening image via Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com]

More related news