“I’m Not A Victim’ – Nigerian Model Featured On The Controversial Dove Ad Speaks Up

Nigerian model, Lola Ogunyemi, who was featured on the Dove advert on Facebook showing a black woman taking off her brown shirt to reveal a white woman after using the beauty brand’s body lotion has spoken up about the controversial issue following Dove’s apology for missing the mark in representing women of color.

According to her, the fuller commercial shown on TV in the US, consists of seven women of different races with all turning into each other and its aim was to show that  all women, irrespective of their skin color, deserve a smooth skin.

She further explained why she jumped at Dove’s offer to be the face of their new body wash campaign.

“Having the opportunity to represent my dark-skinned sisters in a global beauty brand felt like the perfect way for me to remind the world that we are here, we are beautiful, and more importantly, we are valued. I was overwhelmed by just how controversial the ad had become. If I had even the slightest inclination that I would be portrayed as inferior, or as the “before” in a before and after shot, I would have been the first to say an emphatic “no”. I would have walked right off set and out of the door. That is something that goes against everything I stand for.

Adding that, she completely understands the brand’s reason for apologizing after facing backlash from people on social media.