Lady Gaga has just apologized after her makeup brand, Haus Labs, came under fire for asking a beauty influencer to remove a negative review criticizing the lack of diversity in its bronzer shade range.
The incident took place earlier this year after influencer Golloria George uploaded a video where she said Haus Labs’ Sun Dipped Bronzing Veil missed the mark by only releasing six shades that didn’t include some of the deepest skin tones, and urged the brand to “do better.” Haus Labs later asked her to remove her review, citing an embargo issue, but has now apologized for both the shade range and the way it handled her criticism. Keep reading to find out more…
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Influencer Talks About Her Disappointment Over Haus Labs Shade Range
Talking about the lack of inclusive shades and her disappointment with the product, Golloria said: "Gaga, Haus Labs, you guys usually do not miss. Did something change on the team? I'm genuinely perplexed because I generally like a lot of Haus Labs complexion products, but this right here? That is not a Gaga gag. That's a Gaga, I got gagged," she said in the video. "I don't know who or what you guys switched up in that lab. But switch it back. Thank ya!"
She then reportedly received an email from the Haus Labs team, in which they asked her to remove the video, citing the fact that the products she received for her review were under embargo and therefore shouldn't have been made public yet.
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This, in turn, prompted Golloria to release another video, where she expressed further disappointment with how the Haus Labs team handled things and pushed back on the claim that the products were under embargo, citing that they had already been made public on Instagram. Instead, she suggested that the brand had a problem with her leaving a negative review of the products and didn't want the video to remain online.
Several months later, the "Abracadabra" singer and Haus Labs released a statement addressing the controversy…
Lady Gaga Apologizes For 'Not Inclusive' Shade Range And 'Wrong' Way Haus Labs Handled The Situation
The Oscar-winner addressed the situation on Thursday, October 1st, apologizing for both the lack of diversity in the shade range and the way the company handled Golloria's negative review.
"This past July, we were planning to launch Sun Dipped Bronzing Veil in six shades. Just before launch, our community, led by Golloria, called out that the shade range was not inclusive," the statement began.
"It was also clear that the way the company initially handled that feedback was wrong," it continued, referencing the decision to ask Golloria to remove her review. "We want to take full responsibility for our mistakes."
The Joker 2 actress then acknowledged that, despite going through the brand's usual shade development process, the decision to move forward with just six shades ultimately shouldn't have been made…
"Although we went through our shade development process, at some point the decision was made internally to launch with only six shades. That was the wrong decision," the statement went on.
The "Bad Romance" singer also addressed the controversy surrounding Golloria's video, admitting that the brand shouldn't have used the embargo as a reason to ask her to take it down. "At the same time, the company asked Golloria to remove her post on the technicality that she was under embargo. This was unkind and not at all how a creator or any customer's voice-should ever be treated."
The criticism ultimately prompted Haus Labs to put the launch on hold and expand the shade range before releasing the product, which the statement addressed. "Thanks to her powerful voice, we decided to pause the launch and go back to the lab to ensure we had a truly inclusive shade range from day one," it continued.
The A Star is Born actress then finished by personally apologizing to Golloria and confirming that the delayed bronzer will now launch in 11 shades instead of the originally planned six. "I truly apologize to Golloria and the community for where we fell short. You were 100% right. Personally, I will see to it," Gaga concluded.
"Sun Dipped Bronzing Veil will launch soon with 11 inclusive shades, now offering beautiful options we developed for every skin tone. We love you, and we are sorry."
Fan Comments
Fans praised the House of Gucci star and the brand for the way they handled the situation and took accountability for what happened.
"Golloria said 'get back in that lab'… and they did," wrote one fan, followed by the hand clapping emoji. "This is refreshing," praised a second, followed by two hand clapping emojis and one red heart emoji.
"Why we stan Haus Labs reason #163638," gushed a third, as a fourth exclaimed: "This is how brands take accountability for their actions!" The same fan went on: "The right response can gain respect, where the wrong one can lose it. Thank you Haus Labs. Forever a customer."
"As a communications professional, I have to congratulate Lady Gaga's communications team. This is how it should be done. You own your mistakes and work to fix what went wrong. Congratulations, and keep up the great work," concurred a fifth.
"So many brands need to take notes. This is accountability!" agreed a sixth, as a seventh echoed: "Accountability and corrective action. I will never get tired of supporting this brand. @ladygaga @hauslabs I love ya'll."
"This is what we love to see. Truly," wrote an eighth. "Haus Labs the best, Lady Gaga the best," gushed a ninth fan, as a tenth agreed: "Lady Gaga is the best ever. I love her music and she has been my idol for 10 years now."
