Scandal star, Kerry Washington took to Instagram to kindly, gently criticize Adweek for Photoshopping her cover image.

According to the star actress, “It felt strange to look at a picture of myself that is so different from what I look like when I look in the mirror,” she writes. “It’s an unfortunate feeling.”

The cover, which features Washington sitting in a gorgeous striped gown, was revealed on Sunday. Many instantly pointed out that her face, specifically her forehead, and skin tone looked Photoshopped.

READ: Kerry Washington & Nnamdi Asomugha Headed For Divorce

Adweek editorial director James Cooper told Yahoo that the photo is an “accurate representation of how Kerry Washington appeared on set with the lighting used in the photo shoot.”

“This issue was addressed well before publishing and the editorial decision was to not alter her features or darken/or lighten any of her skins tones whatsoever,” he writes.
Despite Cooper’s editing denial, Washington says the photo shocked her. Though she’s honored to be on the cover, she is “weary” of seeing herself altered on a magazine cover once again.

“I have to be honest … I was taken aback by the cover,” she writes.

So…You know me. I’m not one to be quiet about a magazine cover. I always celebrate it when a respected publication invites me to grace their pages. It’s an honor. And a privilege. And ADWEEK is no exception. I love ADWEEK. It’s a publication I appreciate. And learn from. I’ve long followed them on Twitter. And when they invited me to do a cover, I was excited and thrilled. And the truth is, I’m still excited. I’m proud of the article. And I like some of the inside images a great deal. But, I have to be honest…I was taken aback by the cover. Look, I’m no stranger to Photoshopping. It happens a lot. In a way, we have become a society of picture adjusters – who doesn’t love a filter?!? And I don’t always take these adjustments to task but I have had the opportunity to address the impact of my altered image in the past and I think it’s a valuable conversation. Yesterday, however, I just felt weary. It felt strange to look at a picture of myself that is so different from what I look like when I look in the mirror. It’s an unfortunate feeling. That being said. You all have been very kind and supportive. Also, as I’ve said, I’m very proud of the article. There are a few things we discussed in the interview that were left out. Things that are important to me (like: the importance of strong professional support and my awesome professional team) and I’ve been thinking about how to discuss those things with anyone who is interested, in an alternate forum. But until then…Grab this week’s ADWEEK. Read it. I hope you enjoy it. And thank you for being patient with me while I figured out how to post this in a way that felt both celebratory and honest. XOXOXOX

A photo posted by Kerry Washington (@kerrywashington) on Apr 5, 2016 at 2:46pm PDT

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