
Zendaya Coleman has criticised a fashion magazine for promoting “unrealistic” standards of beauty by apparently editing an image to make her appear thinner than she is.
The 19-year-old took part in a photoshoot in Puerto Vallarta for Modeliste Magazine earlier this month. Zendaya, a former Disney actress, said she was sent edited pictures from the shoot on Tuesday, only to find that her hips and torso had been manipulated to look slimmer.
She also claimed Modeliste has since removed the pictures in order to “fix” the “retouch” issue.
She wrote: “Had a new shoot come out today and was shocked when I found my 19 year old hips and torso quite manipulated. These are the things that make women self conscious, that create the unrealistic ideals of beauty that we have.
“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. Thank you @modelistemagazine for pulling down the images and fixing this retouch issue.”
Modeliste did not respond directly to Coleman's claims when contacted by The Independent. Instead, a spokesperson from the magazine referred requests for comment to the magazine’s social media channels.
The spokesperson added: “A Letter From The Editor will also be included in today's Modeliste issue with Zendaya on the cover, and the letter will address the positive collaboration between the magazine and Zendaya and her team that led up to the images you are inquiring about.”
In February, Coleman was praised for her reaction to a comment made by the Fashion Police presenter Giuliana Rancic, who said her dreadlocks looked like they smelled of “weed and patchouli oil”.
Coleman dismissed the “outrageously offensive” remark with an eloquent response that ultimately led to Rancic apologising publicly.