Men’s Magazines Prefer Black Models With Lighter Skin
Posted by: Annika Harris
Filed in:
news
11:00AM, Monday May 11th 2009
Last week, Tyra Banks said she’s trying to expand the idea of what the fashion industry considers beautiful. According to her, black models with lighter skin are deemed more commercial, whereas darker-skinnned black models are considered more high fashion. We’ve noticed this phenomenon holds true when a woman’s “hotness” is being judged, too.
Light-skinned models are plastered across men’s magazines and cast as leads in hip-hop and R&B videos. But dark-skinned models must have a little something extra to get the same attention as their lighter-skinned counterparts. Recently, Maxim released its annual “Hot 100” list. Only seven black women made it. Rihanna was broke the top 10 at number eight. Zoe Saldana, Ciara, Beyonce, and Christina Milian were numbers 29, 32, 52, and 55, respectively. Gabrielle Union and Michelle Obama, who are darker than the rest, placed much lower on the list.
Ida Ljungqvist is the first African-European to be crowned Playmate of the Year and fits the mold of what’s considered hot—light skin and curves. Even the men’s magazines aimed at black men foster this idea of beauty. Latina and light-skinned black models reign in King and XXL. When models with darker skin are featured, they tend to have more ample asses or are famous. In music videos, dark-skinned models get the lead when the director is going for a more artistic look, like Bilal’s “Soul Sista,” filmed in black and white.
The idea that light skin is more beautiful or marketable than dark skin is bigger than Tyra, and it goes deeper than the fashion industry, so I can’t help but wonder when, if ever, it will be a non-issue. It seems young, dark-skinned women will have to stop looking for examples reinforcing that they, too, are beautiful and desirable.
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CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 11:17 am: [report]
Can I agree with this assessment and not sound racist and/or sexist?
Humble Bee
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 11:24 am: [report]
CheeeeEEEEse,
unless its personal preference, what is your justification for liking lighter skin girls?
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 11:37 am: [report]
I did say “Sound”. My justification is that picture (Hot!!), but the point that should be taken away from this is don’t write an article then on the basis that it is correct and then select the picture based on those findings. A much better choice would have been a side-by-side comparison of 2 women or something like that, it’s written on the basis of that stereotype.
No personal preference here.
PinkRanger
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 11:57 am: [report]
I’ve always thought that darker skin was so beautiful, maybe because I have such pale irish skin *grass is always greener?* It surprises me that its not embraced more by fashion and popular culture, its so unique! I will say it drives me crazy to see extremely beautiful women of color who straighten their hair and dye it blonde all the time. I mean, its fun to try new hairstyles, but why are so many gorgeous african american women trying to get that blonde-babe-at-the-beach look? tyra and beyonce especially. but maybe thats their natural hair color for all I know.
retro chic
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 12:16 pm: [report]
What is “commercial” what is “art” are almost always oil and water. Imo, it’s all about the money, honey—whatever sells, and doesn’t go deeper than that. Fashion/Mags/Media are genius at turning Ethnic into Exotic to blur the lines into something indefinable and intriguing to broaden their commercial appeal. There’ve been other “blurs” with combos of European, Asian, and Hispanic models. Also, the more indefinable the accent the better. “Ooooh, *where* is she *from?!*”
Imo, if anything, it’s more of a slap to women in general, ‘cause nothing is ever enough to satiate the public’s superficial tastes, thus reinforcing objectification. For those truly upset about this… cancel mag subscriptions and don’t buy product or patronize their biz. That’s the only message they’ll hear.
Annika
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 12:45 pm: [report]
@retro chic wonderfully said.
CigarPlayer
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 01:14 pm: [report]
Yeah, sorry ladies but I agree with the article. Light skinned ladies look more sexy then dark skinned ones. The Top 100 list only has 7 light skinned ladies because their is a shortage of them compared to Irish, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Romainian, Ukrainian, Russian, Brazilian women out there in the industry.
Also look at the medium we are talking about here “Maxim”. In Jet magazine you will find 99% of the Top 100 are chocolate momas looking fine. I’m just sayin’ Peace - CigarPlayer
retro chic
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 01:18 pm: [report]
Thanks, Annika,’ just wish it wasn’t so. So, keep your good spotlight on these issues to remind people. Let’s take heart in *knowing* that all imbalances have their reckoning, esp after extremes of conservative/greedy periods that we *will* emerge from.
wild-ting
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 01:26 pm: [report]
Interesting article. Kinda sad that the media is promoting such bunk. I am a gorgeous African American dark-skinned woman. If we go by my life and desirability anyone can see just how wrong the media is. I frequently get compliments on my skin (dark chocolate YES!). I have been desired by men and women and have dated within my race and much more outside my race & nationality (not a preference just the opportunities and experiences).
I must say as a young woman I was never seeking affirmation of or examples to reinforce whether or not I was beautiful or desirable. I understand that some girls/women do—but that is a self-confidence issue. Environment has a lot to do with both.
aries3_04
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 05:18 pm: [report]
thumbs up to wild-ting
This article is preaching to the choir, it’s no news that a lot of Americans are superficial in this sense. In my opinion there’s no point in seeking affirmation from shallow people to tell you how beautiful you are (based on what you’ve been given at birth)...chances are you’re awesome regardless of your complexion.
I also agree with Retro Chic - don’t even read the magazines. If guys limit themselves to dating women based on their skin complexion and generalizing you based on your skin color, they aren’t worth your time and it’s their loss.
fallenangel915
wrote on May 11 2009 @ 10:11 pm: [report]
As a light-skinned black woman, I personally take offense to this because it also perpetuates the stereotype that we (light-skinned women) think we are “all that.” I remember being singled out and picked on in school because I looked different from the other girls there, and I hated it. They thought that I thought I was better than them. I’ve never felt that way. Why would I feel superior to someone based simply on the fact that I am of a lighter color than they are? There are plenty of beautiful brown- and dark-skinned women who are looked down upon just because of their skin tone, and it makes me sick. How can we as Black people call others racist when we discriminate against others within *our own* race just because they are darker? It’s pretty hypocritical, if you ask me.