14 Women Share Their Stories On What It Means To Be Dark-Skinned And It’s The Most Inspiring Thing You’ll Read

13. Mariette Valsan – Model/Actor

I remember an incident where I wasn’t allowed to audition for a hair commercial saying I didn’t fit the look. I was puzzled and proceeded to ask what look they were going for and the casting director let it slip that I was too dark to do the commercial. Which was hilarious and outrageous both, because I was auditioning for a HAIR commercial. And then again, recently, I was shooting for a TVC and the clients were American. They came up to me and said I looked absolutely beautiful on camera and my skin tone shone. They said they paid to get spray tans for a tone similar to mine. We laughed about it then but the moment stuck in my head when I realised that half the world made such an effort to get what I am naturally blessed with.