Meagan Good Says Skin Lightening Incident Was 'The Most Shame I've Felt In A Long Time'
Meagan Good has had a tumultuous skin journey in 2020. At the top of the year, whispers were running rampant when she sported a much lighter skin tone, causing speculations that she was bleaching her skin. She never responded, as many also assumed the noticeable difference was due to lighting. It wasn't until a user on her Instagram directly referred to the changes that she decided to reveal her truth. She said:
"I didn't Queen. A (unbeknownst to me) unlicensed aesthetician gave me a product to correct a sun damage mark on my forehead that messed up my skin.
"By the grace of God only; I'm about 80% through recovery and regaining my color daily. To be honest it was a beyond painful and traumatic experience because I would never wish that on anybody. I'd really appreciate if you wouldn't continue to spread assumptions and rumors. God Bless You."
Now that she's healed, Good is speaking out more about what happened. She recently joined The Same Room (a faith-based outlet), for an emotional interview, where she discussed the "shame" she felt during the time.
"I went to an unlicensed esthetician..."
"I went to an unlicensed esthetician who convinced me that I needed to get rid of some sun damage. And a few months later, I am like five shades lighter than I actually am and it was a really traumatic experience because I really trusted the person."
"I kept asking her through the process, like 'Is this what's supposed to happen?' She's like, 'Oh it'll lift and it'll come back.' I got to the place of realizing I don't know if it's going to come back, I think I've been bamboozled."
"It was super embarrassing and super painful especially in the climate we're in as black women.
"I love my skin, I love myself."
"I'm over-confident when I look in the mirror, I like what I see. And to feel like someone stole that from me and to feel like I was misled and now there's commentary on it and people thinking I don't love myself, that's something I can get through but when I'm thinking about these young girls, these young brown-skinned girls who are thinking that I've changed myself and what kind of ideas are putting into their head, that just broke my heart."
Meagan goes on to say she's found the "Good" in the situation.
"As I'm working through it, the blessing in it is, because we don't sometimes know why God allows certain things to happen. I was in a place where I couldn't really defend myself, so for the first time in my life, instead of actually defending myself, I had to sit back and let God...and trust Him."
Her fans were definitely sympathetic after finding out that the skin lightening was unintentional with some even pointing out that it's best to see dermatologists that specialize in African-American skin.
Although it's taken her some time to heal, Meagan revealed that she's glad she went through this situation and she's much stronger because of it.
"I do feel a lot stronger and I feel thankful that I went through something that traumatic, and that I can use it to God's glory and say, 'No, I've actually been through that.'"
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Feature image via Ga Fullner / Shutterstock.com
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage