BLACKPINK's Rosé Faces Racist Backlash at Paris Fashion Week; Elle UK Edits Her Out of Photos, Sparking Fan Outrage

K-pop superstar Rosé, a member of the globally acclaimed group BLACKPINK, has become embroiled in a controversy surrounding alleged racial discrimination during Paris Fashion Week.

Rosé attended the Saint Laurent 2026 Spring/Summer fashion show held in Paris on May 29th. While at the event, she was photographed alongside prominent figures including British singer Charli XCX, American model Hailey Bieber, and actress Zoë Kravitz.

The issue surfaced when Elle UK published a photo from the event. In a shocking move, the magazine seemingly cropped Rosé out of the group picture, presenting it as if only the other three individuals were present. This edited image was later shared on Elle UK's official social media on May 30th, fueling widespread criticism.

Further fanning the flames, Charli XCX posted a photo on her social media from the same event. However, in this picture, which featured all four individuals, Rosé was noticeably darkened or shadowed compared to the others, intensifying suspicions of intentional discrimination.

Netizens have reacted strongly to the incident, with many calling it "blatant racism" and "intentional," expressing their displeasure and demanding accountability.

Korean netizens have expressed outrage, commenting, "This is unbelievable," and "Elle UK needs to apologize." Many fans are rallying behind Rosé, supporting her graceful response while condemning the discriminatory actions. Some have also pointed out the double standard in how international media sometimes treats Asian artists.