New editorial in L’Officiel Paris, Beyonce

For a new editorial in L’Officiel Paris, Beyonce covers the issue looking like herself but inside the theme of her shoot is “African Queen” and pays tribute to Nigerian musician and human rights activist Fela Kuti, who is said to have influenced B’s upcoming album.

The controversy starts because in the photos, Beyonce is in what some are calling “black face” and are offended while others just see it as art. Hell, makeup is makeup isn’t it?

But the magazine defends it’s photos and said:

"The Fashion magazine is about to celebrate its 90th birthday. To celebrate this anniversary, the festivities start with the March issue, with Beyoncé on the cover. She agreed to pose for an incredible fashion shoot, with the theme of African Queen, paying a tribute to the legendary Fela Kuti. Far from the glamorous Sasha Fierce, the beauty posed for the magazine with amazing fashion designers clothes, but also in a dress created by her mother. [It is] A return to her African roots, as you can see on the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened. All the pictures will be available in the collector edition, on sell at the end of this month."