MAC Cosmetics’ Instagram account is often bustling with positive energy, a hub where makeup lovers bond over the latest lip color or DIY tutorial. But things took an ugly turn on Wednesday, when a photo the brand shared elicited a slew of racist comments from a section of the brand’s 8 million plus followers.
MAC shared a backstage photo of a Black model wearing its “Matte Royal” lip color at the New York Fashion Week on Wednesday evening. The close-up photo focusing on the model’s lips was quickly bombarded with with racist slurs.
“Nigga lips?,” one user commented, while another likened her lips to “fish lips.” Yet another user wrote “Holy shit I thought this was Jay Z.” Screen Shot 2016-02-19 at 11.52.44 AMScreen Shot 2016-02-19 at 11.53.03 AM Others were quick to shut down the hate speech, with many women calling out the prejudice and choosing to highlight the beauty of the woman’s features instead. The photo has over 24,000 comments and still counting. Screen Shot 2016-02-19 at 11.56.36 AMScreen Shot 2016-02-19 at 11.55.59 AMOn Thursday, the model under fire, 19-year-old Maryse Kye, responded to both the critical and supportive comments in an Instagram post. “As I turn 20 in a couple days this is a reminder of what I endured in the past and if I survived middle school in america I can get over this,” she said. “The bullying and alienation from others solely based on my features and skin color did not stop me from doing what I want.”
Digiday reached out to MAC for comment, with a spokesperson issuing the following statement: “MAC stands for and respects All Ages, All Races, All Sexes. We do not tolerate any abusive comments in our community.” The brand’s Instagram bio too reflect the same stance: “The Official M∙A∙C Cosmetics Instagram. All Ages, All Races, All Sexes.”
The incident comes shortly after Adidas was at the receiving end of homophobic commentary in response to a picture it posted that depicted two women kissing on Valentine’s Day. The brand responded to its haters with a kiss emoji.
Update: In an ironic twist, model Maryse Kye realized that the photo in question is not hers, but that of fellow model Aamito Stacie Lagum. Kye acknowledged the goof in a post on Instagram on Friday, calling it an “honest mistake” as she had worn similar makeup during a show. She stands by her message of inclusivity, however.
Racism permeates our society; hence, I am not surprised or disturbed by the ignorance of those people. Mac is loving the free press that they are getting from this.
Sigh… But kylie jenner and her fake lips are a trend while a black woman who is naturally born that way is everything but beautiful
She is riddiculed maybe worst ..by whites and blacks.
I never see a negative with the Kardashian females taking on what black women don’t appreciate any more…let’s start with the bleachers if we going to go kardashian bashing.
Im not bashing anyone im stating facts. Her lips are fake. As a black woman I appreciate and love my big lips even tho i was made fun of for it as a child. Society on whole bashes black people for things that come naturally to us but glorify other races for doing it
Society on a whole…hope you include blacks too cause we very good at insulting we own and others.
Kyle “fake lips” enhaced by injection or makeup shouldn’t be a bother to women with African features. I see it as a honor because it’s so appealing to those without such features that they feel the need to have it by whatever means.
The Kardashian a easy beating stick and up to now I don’t see why black women hot fi dem.
Because dem beat black man raytay at him own game?
The mother maximize her and har gal financial position rather than have har shame like dog once that tape got out?
Up to now dem name don’t spread thick wid man catching.
All if that tape never came into play they would still have money, ambition to reach some where, get men because dem far from ugly and dem come from upper society with complexion and name connections.
Me want fi know why black women hate these females. We know why whites do already 😀
Morning/Afternoon.
MAC’s ALWAYS been inclusive in their product and ad campaigns. So, racism can’t be its downfall.
The girl lips shape like the valentines heat if you look side ways…and in the same breath many of us would call it liva lips. Why do we do that any way?
Some white ppl r jus jealous tht they ave to pay to get wat cums naturally to black ppl. We r bless to ave big lips, big butt n dark skin(no sun tan). Jealousy is such a ugly ting
They should be jealous; imagine not having any lips?
:ngakak :ngakak :ngakak :ngakak :ngakak :ngakak :ngakak
I love big natural full lips on women I think it sexy
Her lips are a perfect heart shape
Cute little heart fi true @PP but dat Jay-Z comment deh :hammer
Those lips are gorgeous and everybody knows it. Those comments ladies and gentleman is nothing but “ENVY” if it wasn’t then botox wouldn’t exist.
Mines are called SEXY LIPS and very similar to the model up top. I HAVE GROWN TO LOVE MY SEXY LIPS…JEALOUSY IS A BITCH!!! :kissmouth :kissmouth :kissmouth