Transgender model and activist Munroe Bergdorf announced today, June 9, that she is joining L'Oréal Paris U.K.'s newly formed diversity and inclusion advisory board. The reconciliation comes nearly three years after she was fired by the brand for speaking out against white supremacy in a now deleted Facebook post.
“Honestly, I don’t have energy to talk about the racial violence of white people any more,” Bergdorf wrote on social media in August 2017, according to the New York Times. “Yes ALL white people.”
According to the Daily Mail, her post continued: “Most of ya’ll don’t even realise or refuse to acknowledge that your existence, privilege and success as a race is built on the backs, blood and death of people of colour. Your entire existence is drenched in racism.”
The Daily Mail ran the story along with an inflammatory headline: “L'Oréal's first transgender model is SACKED by the cosmetics giant after claiming 'ALL white people' are racist in extraordinary Facebook rant.”
Bergdorf, who was the first transgender model tapped to appear in a L'Oréal Paris U.K. campaign, was supposed to be featured in a campaign for the then new L'Oréal Paris True Match foundation. But in the wake of her comments, she was fired. "L’Oréal supports diversity and tolerance toward all people irrespective of their race, background, gender and religion," the brand said in a statement at the time. "The L’Oréal Paris True Match campaign is a representation of these values and we are proud of the diversity of the ambassadors who represent this campaign. We believe that the recent comments by L’Oréal Paris U.K. Spokesperson Munroe Bergdorf are at odds with those values, and as such we have taken the decision to end the partnership with her. L’Oréal Paris remains committed to the True Match campaign and breaking down barriers in beauty.”
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Bergdorf responded by issuing a statement on British publication Gal-Dem, in which she clarified that her comments were "a direct response to the violence of WHITE SUPREMACISTS in Charlottesville."
The situation emerged in headlines again this past week as brands, including L'Oréal Paris, began speaking out in the wake of worldwide protests over the killing of George Floyd. "L’Oréal Paris stands in solidarity with the Black community, and against injustice of any kind. We are making a commitment to the @naacp to support progress in the fight for justice. #BlackLivesMatter," the brand posted on Instagram, along with a graphic that read, "Speaking out is worth it," a reference to the brand's famous tagline, "Because You're Worth It."
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Bergdorf took issue with the brand's response, given that her partnership was terminated because she spoke out about racism. "Excuse my language but I am SO angry. FUCK YOU @lorealparis. You dropped me from a campaign in 2017 and threw me to the wolves for speaking out about racism and white supremacy," she wrote on Instagram. "With no duty of care, without a second thought. I had to fend for myself being torn apart by the world's press because YOU didn't want to talk about racism. You even tried to get me to incriminate myself with pairing me up with your shady lawyers, when I had done NOTHING wrong. THAT is what you get for 'speaking out' when employed by @lorealparis. Racist snakes."
Her message continued: "You do NOT get to do this. This is NOT okay, not even in the slightest. I said just yesterday that it would only be a matter of time before RACIST AF brands saw a window of PR opportunity to jump on the bandwagon. Fuck you. Fuck your 'solidarity'. Where was my support when I spoke out? Where was my apology? I'm disgusted and writing this in floods of tears and shaking. This is gaslighting. If you care about me or #blacklivesmatter, don't let @lorealparis get away with this."
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As of June 9, the relationship between Bergdorf and L'Oréal entered a new chapter. "I have spoken with @loreal, please swipe for full statement," Bergdorf wrote on social media. "Thank you everyone for having my back with this matter over the past three years, it hasn't been easy. Looking forward to new beginnings and a new positive relationship with the L'Oréal team." She explained that new L'Oréal Paris president, Delphine Viguier (who was promoted into the role in June 2019), reached out to her directly and the two had an "open and productive conversation." Viguier also offered her a consultancy role on the U.K. diversity and inclusion advisory board.
“She listened to what I had to say and expressed her regret for how the situation was handled three years ago,” the model wrote. “As an activist, part of my work is to encourage big businesses 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 company said it is also making donations to U.K. Black Pride and Mermaids, an organization supporting gender-diverse children, young people, and families.
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Viguier also released a statement on the brand's official Instagram page: "I had an honest, transparent and vulnerable conversation with Munroe Bergdorf," she wrote. "We listened to each other and shared our feelings and perspectives on the situation with open hearts and minds. It was a powerful moment of human connection."
Viguier also explained what actions the brand is taking to address diversity issues. "Here is how we will move forward: As we stand united in our advocacy against all forms of racism, we will take action together," she wrote. "The L’Oréal Group is forming a UK Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board of voices inside and outside the company, who will influence and inform our action plan. I have invited Munroe to participate on this Board and thank her for graciously accepting. We will honor Munroe’s advocacy for both the Trans and Black communities. L’Oréal will be donating to associations that support social justice and causes that are deeply personal to Munroe’s experience. Speaking out is worth it, only if we are able to listen, learn and grow."
