Watch CBS News

Singer Zendaya Says No To Photoshopped Thighs, Yes To Real Women's Bodies

OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- It was thank-yous all around when singer Zendaya stood up for women's body images this week and pulled a magazine cover photo in which her thighs had been not only been touched up, they'd been slimmed down.

The 19-year-old who hails from Oakland, insisted the photo for the November cover of Modeliste Magazine be pulled, and wrote a passionate statement on Instagram saying, "Anyone who knows who I am knows I stand for honest and pure self love. So I took it upon myself to release the real pic (right side) and I love it." She thanked the magazine for cooperating.

The post got more than 700,000 likes, and some 18,000 fans commented in support.

In response, the editor of Modeliste Magazine Amy McCabe thanked Zendaya for "raising a very important issue." In a letter, the editor said the edited image had been submitted "by an independent editing company" and "was not acceptable and not true to the values and ideals we represent and promote in our publication."

McCabe said Zendaya pointed out even "her fine baby hairs had been photoshopped from her forehead."

The letter ended with a message to Zendaya's fans: " We hear you and thank you for your outpouring support of the issue and this talented and inspiring young woman that we are all blessed to have as a role model and who will continue to inspire us through her artistic talents, intellect, creativity and honesty. Thank you!"

This is not the first time Zendaya's fashion sense has impacted the fashion scene. Last February, she unwittingly caused a shakeup at the TV show, Fashion Police when she wore dreadlocks to the Academy Awards. Co-host Juliana Rancic said they "suggested the smell of patchouli oil or marijuana." Rancic came under fire from Zendaya and co-host Kelly Osbourne, among others, and apologized the next day on "E! News." The incident may have precipitated the subsequent exit of both hosts from the show.

Zendaya, nee Zendaya Maree Stoermer Colman attended Oakland School for the Arts. At an early age she performed with the dance group Future Shock Oakland. She now lives in Los Angeles.


CBSSF.com writer, producer Jan Mabry is also executive producer and host of The Bronze Report. She lives in Northern California. Follow her on Twitter @janmabr.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.