U.K.-based transgender model Munroe Bergdorf announced today (June 9, 2020) a conversation with L’Oréal president Delphie Viguier who committed to a £50,000 donation to two trans-support organizations: Mermaid’s Gender and U.K. Black Pride.
Referencing the call from the president, Bergdorf wrote, “We had an open and construction conversation, she listened to what I had to say and expressed her regret for how the situation was handled three years ago.”
In addition to the donations, Bergdorf will join L’Oréal’s U.K. Diversity and Inclusion Advisory board. Reflecting on the role, Bergdorf wrote, “I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to practice what I preach and take up that seat at the table to be the representation we deserve as a community. I believe in accountability and progress, not cancellation and grudges.
She added, “As an activist, part of my work is to encourage big business to understand their responsibility with regards to diversity and inclusion. It’s imperative that in all industries, a wide range of people from different backgrounds and experiences are in the room at all levels and in decision making roles, to reduce oversight and to create a product that is built with all people in mind.”
The call from L’Oréal followed Munroe’s criticism of the company last week. In response to the company publishing a black square with the words “Speaking out is worth it,” Munroe wrote on Instagram, “Excuse my language but I am SO angry. [Explective] YOU @lorealparis. You dropped me from a campaign in 2017 and threw me to the wolves for speaking out about racism and white supremacy.”
Bergdorf was referencing a falling out with the global beauty company not long after was signed as the first transgender face of the brand in August 2017. Responding on Facebook to neo-Nazi protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, Bergdorf wrote, “Honestly I don’t have energy to talk about the racial violence of white people any more. Yes ALL white people.”
While Bergdorf attempted to add clarity by describing her thoughts as meant to speak to the system of white supremacy favoring white people, the comment caused an uproar and rather than work to add explanation, L’Oreal used its considerable platform to officially announce it was dropping Bergdorf.
