True Love magazine has reacted to the backlash over its Lerato Kganyago’s cover by posting the star’s before and after pictures.
The difference in some of the shots is clearly noticeable, with one pic revealing the magazine even edited out her cellulite!
True Love received flak on Monday morning, shortly after unveiling the cover.
Fans cried foul over the way Lerato looked, and some said photoshop had made her look unrecognisable.
Lerato also added her opinion on the cover, saying it was “disheartening” for the photographer who captured the “amazing” pictures to see his work retouched to the point of no recognition.
READ: No True Love for Lerato Kganyago's magazine cover
But True Love hit back late Monday afternoon, saying they only had Lerato’s image in mind.
“As a brand that stands for women empowerment, TRUE LOVE would never intentionally do anything to compromise women and their public profile. We have a responsibility not to tarnish our cover star’s image, to produce authentic content for our readers and to uphold the brand’s integrity,” editor Dudu Mvimbi Leshabane said on the magazine’s website.
Judging by the before and after pictures the mag posted, it is understandable why the photoshop took place.
The mag did what it needed to ensure a “flawless” cover.
But come on True Love, was it really necessary to show the very pictures that you did not wish to put out in the first place to protect Lerato’s image?
Fans were not buying the mag's response, saying they like the original pictures - cellulite and all.
We are still going to be first in line to get a copy of this issue!
Check out all Lerato's before and after pictures here.