Did Vanity Fair lighten Lupita Nyong'o's skin? Magazine is accused of digitally brightening the 12 Years A Slave star

Vanity Fair has been accused of lightening 12 Years A Slave star Lupita Nyong'o's skin in its latest issue.
Dressed in a feathery white strapless gown surrounded by white balloons, the 30-year-old Kenyan actress, who is up for an Academy Award, features in the magazine's Vanities section for February.
But after Vanity Fair tweeted a sneak peek of the editorial yesterday afternoon, many were quick to point out that Miss Nyong'o's dark skin looks noticeably lighter.

Dressed in a feathery white dress surrounded by white balloons, the 30-year-old Kenyan actress, who is up for an Academy Award, features in Vanity Fair's February issue

Washington, D.C.-based publicist Renee Kelly tweeted: '@VanityFair: The stunning @Lupita_Nyongo did you lighten her skin?'

Meanwhile Brooklyn's Nocciola Nazgul asked: 'did vanity fair seriously lighten lupita's picture? really? did this happen?'
However some believe that the Vanity Fair images are simply a product of bright set lighting, rather than deliberate skin lightening.
Clutch magazine pointed out that the behind-the-scenes video for the shoot 'shows Nyong’o swathed in white -- white balloons, ultra-white background, big, bright lights -- which any Black woman (or woman of color) will tell you will cause your skin to appear lighter.'

But after Vanity Fair tweeted a sneak peek of the editorial yesterday afternoon, many were quick to point out that Miss Nyong'o's dark skin looks noticeably lighter

Some believe that the Vanity Fair images are simply a product of bright set lighting, rather than deliberate skin lightening

Miss Nyong'o, who already has several magazines covers under her belt, including Dazed and Confused and W magazine, as well as a major fashion campaign with Miu Miu, is yet to comment on the editorial.
The Mexican-born actress, who was raised in Kenya and now resides in Brooklyn, will compete against Sally Hawkins, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts and June Squibb for best supporting actress at the upcoming 86th Academy Awards.
The Yale School of Drama graduate gave a heart-wrenching portrayal of tormented slave Patsey in the critically acclaimed film, 12 Years A Slave. 

Lupita Nyong'o arriving at the Golden Globe Awards

Miss Nyong'o, who already has several magazines covers under her belt, including Dazed and Confused and W magazine, as well as a major fashion campaign with Miu Miu, is yet to comment on the editorial

The Yale School of Drama graduate gave a heart-wrenching portrayal of tormented slave Patsey in the critically acclaimed film, 12 Years A Slave

Also up for a Golden Globe earlier this week, Miss Nyong'o was arguably the best-dressed star at the Sunday awards where she dazzled in a $7,000 red-caped Ralph Lauren gown.
Miss Nyong'o will play flight attendant Gwen in the action flick Non-Stop - due out February 28 - with Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, and Michelle Dockery.