Updated: Sammy Sosa Bleached Skin? Share Your Theory
Updated on Nov. 11: Ohhhhh, so that's all...Sammy Sosa was softening his skin with bleach cream he bought in Europe, according to ESPN. I guess he decided to skip the lotion and moisturizer aisle of his local Jewel and head straight for a chemical cocktail that's got him looking like MJ mixed with Peewee Herman. Puh-leaze! Note to Sammy: Man, just be quiet and fade away like your skin color. You may not be "racist," but you are more than a little confused. (Props to my man, poster and reporter Morgan Campbell, for reminding me to update this latest link to insanity.)
What is up with all the skin shade drama, these days?
First, we have Aussies blacking their faces, then French Vogue models, then errant hockey players and now this?
Sammy, say it ain't So Sa.
Then:
Now:
AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck
Unless Sammy was kickboxing through flour or got Photo-shopped by an unskilled prankster, there is no logical explanation for his new...um...complexion. It looks like whiteface, but it isn't even close to Halloween.
The formerly brown baseball icon has tried to downplay his newfound lighter skin, but the excuses sound about as plausible as the late, great MJ's. (Is it just me or does it also look like he borrowed MJ's crazy contact lenses from "Thriller" as well as Jermaine Jackson's greasy S-curl style?)
Ridiculous. I recently wrote a post about a skin-lightener ad in India, and I hear from one of my Kyles Files all-stars it's all the rage in some Carribean countries too. It's a sad state of affairs.
Somebody, get Sosa some sun...and some sense. Stat.
What's really going on? Do you believe Sammy? If not, what the hell is up?
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48 Comments
Gina B. said:
Y'know . . . I was wondering the exact same thing. He doesn't look normal. I read another article about this. The supposition was that a side effect of certain performance enhancing drugs was increased symptoms of vitiligo. Not sure if this is true. He looks odd, regardless of the cause.
Kyra Kyles said:
He looks like a damn fool. He should just say he has no clue what happened and make people feel sorry for him instead of acting like this is a purposeful act. Ri-damn-diculous. Thanks for the comment, Madame Gina B.
emailemale said:
MJ and Peter Pan are like Moses and that burning bush; maybe that's why Sosa went for the bleached look - let me know if you understand the references or not...
Kyra Kyles said:
I get ya on the MJ and the Peter Pan. Burning bush may need further explanation. But thanks for the comment, emaileemale.
Campbell said:
what do you mean with the comparison of the burning bush and moses? Seems interesting...
My theory...self hatred. I'm not buying the whole "skin rejuvenation process" theory. Sounds like a bunch of bull. Looks to me like he's been bleaching his skin.
Kyra Kyles said:
OMG, Khalilah came to the Kyles Files. I am so happy right now. Good comment. I definitely think something is up, here. I know it's the PC answer to claim some crazy cosmetic treatment, but those awful contacts are telling another story. Poor Sammy. He looked so much better brown.
I'm not Rosie! said:
You forgot ASIA. Shiseido, one of the most venerable cosmetics brands from Japan, practically made their entire fortune on skin whitening formula. I believe they use the phrase "skin brightening" here. BUT I saw one the other day at Costco with "whitening" in the name (due to the large number of people from Asia in the NW suburbs?) I can cry you a river about how my "tanned" skin disturbs my parents: "Oh you look so dark" (and overweight, but that would be off-topic in this post. That's why I love being in the US Midwest - I am forever "just fine" here) whenever I go home to visit. Sorry. I can carry on and on about this. Here are my theories:
1. THAT might have been his "true" skin color. The tanned and handsome Sosa that we have come to love might be the result of him being under the sun all the time. Solution? Show us your butt, Sammy! Where the sun doesn't shine, that should show us your "true color".
2. The lightening of the skin and the blue eye contacts? Hmmm. Maybe he is secretly a fan of Cosplay: http://is.gd/4R4Vp
Kyra Kyles said:
Ha ha ha, so we need to request a press conference so we can test the sun-don't-shine theory. Ha ha ha! And thanks for giving another insight into Asia. How sad. Why don't people appreciate what they have? I guess the same can be asked of those who go to the tanning beds though, at the risk of their own skin. Yeesh.
vaughnchicago said:
I gotta tell you, I'm TOTALLY vexed by the new Sammy Sosa. Is this his tribute to Michael Jackson? Vexing, very vexing.
Kyra Kyles said:
I third that vexation. People need to get some self-esteem and awareness. I wonder if he thinks he's looking good. Guess the media coverage will squash that theory.
MorganPCampbell said:
Not buying the skin rejuvenation theory. Doesn't explain the hazel contacts. IF sammy was smart he'd tell people he was at a halloween party, dressed up as Ricky Martin.
Note the difference in color between his face and his left hand.
Interesting...
Kyra Kyles said:
I know, right! The damn hazel contacts totally give away what he's trying to do. I think he'd be better off saying he was sucked dry by vampires from True Blood and then Twilight. One of my Twitter friends said that he looked like a Twilight vampire. I think that's an insult to the undead everywhere. Thanks for stopping by, MorganPCampbell!
Brian Moore said:
I can't get past his lips. Now that his face is lighter, his lips stand out as if he's got lipstick on. I didn't even notice the different eye color. WTF?!?!
Kyra Kyles said:
Man, Brian, I don't know...That's why we are soliciting answers here. I think he needs an intervention. Maybe the marvelously chocolate Morris Chestnut will take a break from his "V" duties and come counsel this man. He looks like the reversal of a George Hamilton.
ErnestWilkins said:
WOOOOOOW. I just don't know what to say when I see stuff like this. Oh wait, yeah I do. Loss.
Kyra Kyles said:
And can I add: FAIL?
Wow. That is just so... weird? I can't even find the right words for it. I guess if he figured he could lighten up his bat, his skin was the next in line. To repeat the sentiment echoed so many times above. Why?
Kyra Kyles said:
Oh noes. Did Dave just say he lightened up his bat, then himself? You all are cracking me up. I hope Sammy comes online and explains this craziness...but for reals this time, no silly made-up answers from Oz.
Journey James said:
If he is rejuvenating, he needs to get his money back. He looks awful.
Kyra Kyles said:
I hope he kept the receipt. Thanks for commenting, Journey James.
BeccaLynn said:
Sammy looks like he has powdered sugar from donuts everywhere but on his lips. NO!
Kyra Kyles said:
You're right, BeccaLynn...He's like a reverse Tyrone Biggums from Chappelle Show.
clay said:
Wow, no kidding. Not only does his skin look lighter, but he let down his hair and grew boobs. Looks pretty good in that silver dress...but who's that white guy he's with?
Kyra Kyles said:
Hilarious. I can say no more to Clay.
Campbell said:
im still laughing at your comment
Wendy C said:
I've said this elsewhere, changing the color of your skin, eyes, or hair doesn't really change who you are, it just makes you seem less real.
Kyra Kyles said:
Wendy, I'm glad you said it again. It appears to bear repeating. How sad.
nixmoon said:
This fool has lost his mind! He looks like a brown-speckled jackass! I feel sorry for his wife having to wake up to fantastically ugly creature.
Kyra Kyles said:
Ha ha, nixmoon shows no sympathy! I love it. Maybe he did this for his wife. Who knows? She doesn't look too upset to me. I'd be doing a perp walk with my collar up if I were next to Mr. Powdered Donut Dude.
Josh said:
Wow I'm a little behind on reading my blogs. I heard about this alleged "skin-lightening" but this is the first time I saw a picture. He looks....umm...scary. If that's really what he looks like now I wouldn't recognize him if I saw him on the street. That just doesn't make sense.
Speaking of seeing someone on the street (sort of) I saw Peter Francis Geraci today in my building.
Kyra Kyles said:
Hi Josh, welcome back! I agree that he looks ghoulish. Did you really see Peter Francis? Did he have that dead-eyed glaze like he does in the commercials?
Josh said:
I sure did! Turns out he has an office in the building I work in. He looked pretty much the same as in his commercials. I didn't hear him speak though, so I'm curious if he talks the same in person. Actually, I've noticed his delivery has improved over the years. Maybe he took some acting lessons.
Rick Aiello said:
Everything about him looks weird... the skin, the eyes, the hair... I HOPE some of this is just a really bad photo, bad lighting, etc... but I kinda doubt it. Just creepy and weird.
Kyra Kyles said:
Unless this is the worst camera in the world AND it came from the Twilight Zone, it appears this is the real deal. Also, some of his associates have reported being jarred by his appearance...and you ain't lyin' about the pleather. He looks a little like Deuce Bigalow in that tacky get-up.
Campbell said:
It does look creepy
Rick Aiello said:
What about the pleather suit? C'mon, Sammy, you can afford better...
Blatina said:
Um when I saw this I was like, "WTF!" This is seriously sad. Why is it that every time vitiligo is mentioned in relation to black celebrities we find them lightening their skin instead of darkening the white patches to match their existing skin color, hmm...?! Like someone else mentioned, he not only lightened his skin but then popped in some hazel contacts, very suspect to say the least. I agree with Khalilah. As an Afro-Latina, I can say that self-hatred and the desire to appear white is prevalent among many in the Afro-Latino community. Not surprising but sad nonetheless.
Kyra Kyles said:
That's an excellent point, Blatina. What a shame. I think he was testing his new look by sliding in those contacts and then went full throttle when he unveiled his new light-skinned self. Awful. He looks like a monster. Mission (not) accomplished. Wake up, people!
Sammy looks so off, I hardly recognize him. I like my "permatan" so no "skin rejuvenation" for me...
Kyra Kyles said:
Nice new vocab, Derrick. Sammy is so far gone.
PattiCake said:
OMG!!! he looks A hot T mess, & it look like he put perm in his hair....LMAO
Kyra Kyles said:
I know, right? I asked if it was an S-curl and my girl suggested it was Soul Glow. Awful!
Thanks for the comment, PattiCake!
Campbell said:
I think he looked hansome before there was no need to do that to his skin, it doesnt make him look younger. He looked so much better before, he looks sick/unhealthy. Its sad to look at, whats with his wife, I would never let my husband do something like that.
Apres Ski said:
If more read Dr. Seuss' "Stars Upon Thars" you won't have this problems. Go out & buy the book, "Sneetches and Other Stories" & you'll see he said best about people wanting what others have. Here's a short passage from the book:
Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches
Had bellies with stars.
The Plain-Belly Sneetches
Had none upon thars.
Kyra Kyles said:
You're right. My mom was a school teacher and she always refers to this story with reference to this kind of thing. Also, the story of Lolla-Lee Lou, the bird who wanted as many feathers as her friends. If only Sammy had paid attention when these stories were read aloud. Thanks for the virtual dramatic reading, too, Apres Ski. :)
Papa MaC said:
Hey, maybe he just wanted to be Ricky Ricardo for Halloween. ;X
Skin bleaching/modification will continue to be a trend no matter how ignorant society (or myself) view it to be. I have family members of dark complexion who have fallen to the chemical rub, some have even been scarred by it; which, surprisingly, wasn't an effective deterrent. Some see it as self-loathing, others see it as no different from makeup or creams for stretch-marks/wrinkles; simply a means to appear how they believe they should.
Papa MaC said:
P.S. I see skin bleaching as no different from sun tanning or 'tan-in-a-can'. It's fairly acceptable for white people to modify their skin tone, but when black people do the same it's a crime against nature. Hypocrisy!
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