Munroe Bergdorf rocked L’Oreal again, three years after being rejected for commenting on systemic racism
The black and trans model were featured in one of the brand’s advertising campaigns in the UK before it was rejected.
On Tuesday, L’Oreal Paris brand president Delphine Viguier said in a statement to social media that Bergdorf had agreed to serve on the UK Diversity and Inclusion Conference after an “honest, transparent and vulnerable” conversation.
“I regret the lack of dialogue and support the company showed Munroe at the time of the closure. We also needed to do more to create a conversation for change as we are doing now,” Viguier said. “We support Munroe’s fight against systemic racism and as a company we are committed to working to eliminate such systems.”
Reconciliation is the latest example of how protests sparked by Floyd’s death are forcing companies to look sharply at their policies. Floyd died after a Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer used his knee to stab an unarmed black man’s neck into the ground for nearly nine minutes.
Viguier said in a statement that “3 years ago Munroe felt silenced by the brand, L’Oreal Paris, which had the power to amplify her voice.”
“I understand much better the pain and trauma behind Munroe’s words and the urgency she felt she was speaking in defense of the Black community against systemic racism,” Viguier said.
Munroe said more companies need to understand their responsibility given diversity and inclusion.
“I hope that this reconciliation is proof that we can all find a way to reject our differences and work together to work for a more progressive, fairer and more equal world,” she said in a statement.
CNN contacted L’Oreal for further comment.
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