Three months after Melissa McCarthy‘s covered-up look on the cover of Elle created “Jacket Gate,” the fashion magazine is under fire again, this time for how it’s featured comedienne Mindy Kaling on its “Women in TV Issue” cover.
The Mindy Project star, 34, is one of four women to cover the February 2014 issue, which also features Amy Poehler, Zooey Deschanel, and Allison Williams on separate covers.
The controversy over Kaling’s cover? The sole woman of color to be included, Kaling poses in a close-up, black-and-white shot versus the other three women’s full-color, almost-full body images.
Kaling is open about her size 8 figure on both, The Mindy Project, and in her memoir, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). Critics are bashing the cover, saying the magazine purposefully hid Kaling’s fuller figure with a cropped shot.
But Elle released a statement to Us Weekly about Kaling’s image, defending its choice.
“Mindy looks sexy, beautiful and chic. We think it is a striking and sophisticated cover and are thrilled to celebrate her in our Women in TV Issue.”
PHOTOS: Funniest female stars in Hollywood
In traditional fashion, Kaling made light of the controversy, tweeting, “Wishing for more skin on my @ELLEmagazine cover? [Costar] Chris Messina & I are naked on a brand new #themindyproject tonight, ya pervs! 930/830 FOX.”
UPDATE: Kaling also tweeted: “I love my @Ellemagazine cover. It made me feel glamorous & cool. And if anyone wants to see more of my body, go on thirteen dates with me.”
Tell Us: Do you think Mindy Kaling’s cover is offensive?