"Basketball Wives" star Tami Roman is the latest celebrity to be accused of bleaching her skin, after posting a picture of herself looking a few shades lighter than usual. The newly blonde New York native, who was married to former NBA player Kenny Anderson, looked very pale in the photo.

“Please say this is just bad make up and lighting ...,” wrote @MsBabyDoll117 on Twitter.

“WTF did Tami Roman do to herself?! She’s on that Sosa juice … three shades lighter,” wrote @lovekivi, referring to former Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa, who first bleached his skin in 2009.

Other commenters defended Roman’s shocking new look, saying it's only makeup. “I doubt @TamiRoman bleached her skin. Leave her alone. It’s something called makeup and women love switching up looks. Tami is too real 4 that! [sic],” @StevenMcCoyB said.

The notion of skin lightening has been problematic specifically within the black community since historical times, as dominant beauty standards tend to enforce white cultural norms and images.

As a result, these dominant views have been transmitted to black women and the black community as a whole.

Roman isn't the first black person in the entertainment industry to be accused of skin bleaching. Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, India Arie, Dawn Richard and Lil’ Kim are other notable celebrities accused of lightening their skin in recent years. Roman has yet to address the skin-bleaching rumors.

RELATED STORIES
NBA Twitter