Here's The Problem With Calling Lupita Nyong'o 'The New Face Of Beauty'

Lupita Nyong'o represents a stunning image of black women that should be seen regularly on newsstands.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

Lupita Nyong'o graces the cover of the May issue of Harper's Bazaar UK, and it's a welcome sight indeed. The cover represents a stunning image of a black woman that should be seen regularly on newsstands. The Oscar-winning actress acknowledges that she's in a "unique position;" people the world over connect with her due to a "limited representation" of minorities. But here's the thing: Labeling Nyong'o as the "new face of beauty" is a harsh reminder that the fashion industry encourages a standard of beauty where black women such as Nyong'o are considered "exotic," or worse, simply ignored. The reality is that Nyong'o is beautiful even if she wasn't an ambassador for Lancôme or a red carpet darling. Black will always be beautiful.

Also on The Huffington Post:

Marie Claire Celebrates May Cover Stars

Lupita Nyong'o Style

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE