Munroe Bergdorf, a former model for L'Oreal who was fired in 2017 for speaking up about systemic racism, has been re-hired. This time, however, the world's largest cosmetics company has brought her on board to advise them regarding their diversity and inclusion policies.
Berdgorf, who used to be featured in L'Oreal's UK advertising campaigns, was removed from the company when she posted on Facebook about "the racial violence of white people" in connection to the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017.
Just last month, Berdgorf called out the apparent hypocrisy of the company since it posted "speaking out is worth it" on its social media accounts amid protests following the death of George Floyd in the arms of the police in the U.S.
"Excuse my language but I am SO angry. F--- YOU @lorealparis. You dropped me from a campaign in 2017 and threw me to the wolves for speaking out about racism and white supremacy. With no duty of care, without a second thought," Berdgorf wrote.
Now, the company wants her to be a part of the brand's UK Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board. L'Oreal Paris brand president Delphine Viguier announced that Berdgorf agreed to do so after an "honest, transparent and vulnerable" conversation.
"I regret the lack of dialogue and support the company showed Munroe around the time of the termination. We should have also done more to create a conversation for change as we are now doing," said Viguier. "We support Munroe's fight against systemic racism and as a company we are committed to work to dismantle such systems."
Meanwhile, Berdgorf is positive that it is a good start for the company to be responsible in terms of diversity and inclusion and hopes that other companies do the same.
"I hope this reconciliation is proof that we can all find a way to put aside our differences and work together to push for a more progressive, fair and equal world," she said in a statement.
Follow Munroe Bergdorf on Instagram @MunroeBergdorg