Mac Cosmetics Posts Image of Black Model’s Lips to Instagram. Gets Bombarded With Racist Comments.

Mac Cosmetics Maryse Kye


Earlier this week, on Wednesday evening, Mac Cosmetics posted the above image, a close-up snap of a black model’s lips to its Instagram page. The picture was taken during New York Fashion week, backstage at Ohne Titel’s presentation.

The post was quickly bombarded with vile, racist comments, coming in from all over the world. As news spread, supporters began to flood the post with positive comments.

Maryse Kye, the model featured in the image, commented on the controversy, and thanked her supporters. She wrote on Instagram,

As I read the comments below this picture Felt so insecure and a bit embarrassed as I just wrapped up fashion week a time period that is tough on models especially black models as we encounter the harsh reality of the fashion world. But I kept reading (not sure why tbh) and saw so much love and support from strangers that made me smile :)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. The bullying and alienation from others solely based on my features and skin color did not stop me from doing what I want. I mean I just walked in NYFW…. And shout out to @maccosmetics for making a killer Lippie.

MAC hasn’t commented on the controversy, but has since removed a number of the racist messages.

EDIT: Apparently these lips belong to Aamito Lagum. Maryse updated her Instagram post to reflect her mistake: