NextSharkNextShark.com

Pakistani Model Does Blackface Photoshoot, Claims She’s a Victim of Discrimination

Pakistani Model Does Blackface Photoshoot, Claims She’s a Victim of Discrimination

A popular model in Pakistan has defended herself after coming under fire for wearing blackface in an advertisement for a local salon.

July 30, 2019
SHARE
A popular model in Pakistan has defended herself after coming under fire for wearing blackface in an advertisement for a local salon.
Zara Abid, who has nearly 73,000 followers on Instagram, posted the series of controversial photos for Nabila, a stylist based in Karachi, Sindh province last week.
Image via Instagram / @zaraabidofficial
Abid credited the team behind her spread, with Ikram Gohar — who works at the salon — being responsible for her hair and makeup.
Image via Instagram / @zaraabidofficial
“For art’s sake,” she captioned one of the photos.
Image via Instagram / @zaraabidofficial
Abid’s other Instagram posts show her with much lighter complexions, which some believe support Pakistan’s “obsession” with fair skin.
Image via Instagram / @zaraabidofficial
The series has since attracted a massive backlash, with people criticizing the salon and the 35-year-old model for promoting blackface.
Subscribe to
NextShark's Newsletter

A daily dose of Asian America's essential stories, in under 5 minutes.

Get our collection of Asian America's most essential stories to your inbox daily for free.

Unsure? Check out our Newsletter Archive.

Over the weekend, Abid posted a series of notes defending the photoshoot, claiming that she is “a proud dark-skinned model” and “a first-hand victim of discrimination and colourism.”
“When I initially started modelling professionally, people would refuse to hire me because of my dark skin tone.
“I am first-hand victim of discrimination and colourism that exists within our society.
“However, I fought tooth and nail to get where I am today and I am very grateful for all the opportunities I received purely on the basis of my talent.”
Image via Instagram / @zaraabidofficial
Abid went on to explain that the photos, which have been “misconstrued,” enhanced her color as she wanted to “empower” the “darker-skinned population” in the name of representation.
“On multiple occasions, I have been made two to three tones lighter, so why not darker?”
Image via Instagram / @zaraabidofficial
Image via Instagram / @zaraabidofficial
Abid concluded her defense with a call to stop shaming dark skin.
“I live to see the day when all skin tones are equally represented within our society and we can proudly celebrate our natural skin tones.”
Image via Instagram / @zaraabidofficial
Unfortunately, Abid’s statement did not exactly pacify critics, who argued that blackface is not representation.
Featured Images via Instagram / @zaraabidofficial
MOST READ
    HAPPENING NOW
      Carl Samson

      Carl Samson is a Senior Editor for NextShark

      SHARE THIS ARTICLE:

      RELATED STORIES FROM NEXTSHARK

      Support
      NextShark's
      Journalism

      Many people might not know this, but NextShark is a small media startup that runs on no outside funding or loans, and with no paywalls or subscription fees, we rely on help from our community and readers like you.

      Everything you see today is built by Asians, for Asians to help amplify our voices globally and support each other. However, we still face many difficulties in our industry because of our commitment to accessible and informational Asian news coverage.

      We hope you consider making a contribution to NextShark so we can continue to provide you quality journalism that informs, educates, and inspires the Asian community. Even a $1 contribution goes a long way. Thank you for supporting NextShark and our community.

      © 2023 NextShark, Inc. All rights reserved.