L’Oreal accused of whitewashing Freida Pinto in ad

Actress Freida Pinto, has found herself in the middle of another skin lightening scandal, based a new ad photo from L’Oreal that shows the Indian beauty looking lighter-skinned than usual. The Slumdog Millionaire star, who was signed as the face of L’Oreal Paris in 2009, first appeared with a paler complexion in the official image released by L’Oreal when she was signed in 2009. However it was then confirmed that the shot was provided by Pinto’s management - and not by the skincare brand. L’Oréal's campaign for ‘Colours Take Flight’ make-up, features a close-up of the gorgeous star, showing off their range of exotic coloured eye shadows.

But the image, which is possibly a lighting effect or a Photoshop blunder, has attracted criticism from online publications and have accused L’Oreal of ‘lightening’ Freida’s skin.

The company, however, has denied any retouching. “Freida Pinto has been a spokesperson for the L’Oréal Paris brand since 2009,” said a L’Oreal spokesperson. ‘We highly value our relationship with Ms.Pinto. ‘It is categorically untrue that L’Oréal Paris altered Ms. Pinto’s features or skin-tone in the campaign for Project Runway “Colors Take Flight” limited-edition collection,” he added.

Aishwarya, Sonam, Frieda to dazzle at Cannes

Three Indian actresses - Aishwarya Rai, Sonam Kapoor and Freida Pinto - will walk the red carpet at Cannes this year on different ocassions. Aishwarya, a regular at the prestigious gala for last 10 years, feels with "both beautiful women" India will have a "stronger presence". "Several countries have always had more than one L’Oreal Paris spokeswoman at Cannes and I'm glad India is finally getting the same recognition. I am happy that with Sonam and Freida, both beautiful women, being invited to the festival this year, India will have a stronger presence, which is a clear sign of the growing importance of the country," said Aishwarya.

Aishwarya, who celebrates a decade of representing L’Oreal Paris at Cannes, will walk the red carpet at the opening ceremony of 64th Cannes International Film Festival May 11. She will also attend the opening gala cocktail and dinner. She is scheduled to attend various events the next day.

"Being at Cannes for L’Oreal Paris has been an absolute pleasure and to experience this for the 10th consecutive year has been quite overwhelming," she said.

The three Indian beauties will represet India for cosmetic brand L’Oreal Paris at Cannes and for the first time the brand is taking three spokeswomen representing India to the event.

L’Oreal Paris has been the official make-up artist of the festival for 14 years and this is the first year Freida and Sonam will represent it at Cannes.

Sonam, who will walk the red carpet May 15, said: "It has always been my dream to walk the red carpet at Cannes and it is soon going to be a reality thanks to L’Oreal Paris. I look forward to meeting actors and filmmakers from the world over and attending screenings of some interesting films. But what excites me the most is meeting the L’Oreal Paris international dream team of make-up artistes and seeing how they transform me for one of the most glamorous red carpets in the world."

Freida will represent L’Oreal at the amfAR (The American Foundation for AIDS Research) dinner and after-party May 19. The event, co-sponsored by the brand, aims at raising money for the fight against AIDS.

"It is every actor’s dream to attend this festival but I am especially privileged as I also get to lend my support to an important cause by attending the amfAR dinner when I’m there," said Frieda.

L’Oreal will introduce its first dream team of three renowned make-up artists - Karim Rahman, Billy B and Rie Omoto - who will design exclusive make-up looks for all the spokeswomen, jury members and actresses.

Other L’Oreal spokespeople attending Cannes this year are Cheryl Cole, Eva Longoria, Gwen Stefani, Claudia Schiffer, Patrick Dempsey, Diane Kruger, Jane Fonda, Milla Jovovich, Aimee Mullins, Laetitia Casta, Paz Vega, Fan Binging, Ximena Navarrete, Zhang Zilin, Ines de la Fressange, Gong Li, Doutzen Kroes and Li Bing Bing.

Freida Pinto defends her GQ photo shoot

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ star Freida Pinto, who raised eyebrows last year (2010) with a series of hot shots for the US version of GQ, is now defending the photoshoot. Rumours suggested that the photoshoot for the men’s magazine was a deliberate attempt to shake off her ‘nice-girl’ image, but Pinto has now spoken out to stress that she was not manipulated into taking part and it was entirely her decision to pose for the pictures. "The decision to do those pictures was mine. I definitely knew how I wanted to look. A stylist may have chosen the clothes but the decision to wear them was mine. I would hate to feel that I was being objectified,” said Pinto. "I have always said that a woman’s feminity should not be used in a way that is demeaning to her. But, you know, I don’t think this is a sexist issue any more because actors are strutting their stuff in photoshoots just as much as actresses now," she added.

Freida Pinto replaces Aishwarya Rai as Indian Face of L’Oreal

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai, famed as one of the most attractive women in the world, has been permanently replaced by ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ star Freida Pinto as the Indian face of L’Oreal. The two have been pitched against each other after, the 26 year old, Freida, featured in the cosmetic firm’s ‘Happy New Year’ television commercial with the brand’s other global ambassadors - but not Aishwarya. “I don’t know anything about it. We need to check out the details”, said a spokesperson for Aishwarya. “Ash is busy with her upcoming performance at an awards function, so she can’t speak on this issue right away,” the spokesperson added.

The model-turned-actress has been representing the brand since 2005, while Pinto joined in 2009.

I have no fixed address: Freida Pinto

“I’d like to say I live somewhere, but right now I’m all over the world with my three suitcases that I’ve been carrying with me for two years. I just keep changing the clothes in the bags," said ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ famed Freida Pinto. "Literally, I have no fixed address. I call Bombay my home, but I moved to London last year when I was doing the Woody Allen film and I loved that as my second home. I love New York as well." Despite her lack of a permanent home, the 26-year-old would hate to return to her life as a struggling actress and admits she was close to quitting the profession before she got her big break.

"You always dream of something magical happening, and when it happens to you, it’s almost difficult to accept that it actually happened.

"Even though I was lucky, I had a lot of struggles before that. I said I was going to give up everything at age 25 and get into event management because nothing was going for me. I used to have a lot of nervous breakdowns."

The actress is reported to be dating her ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ co-star Dev Patel.

Very hot: Freida Pinto's GQ photoshoot

Freida Pinto stars in You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

Indian actress Freida Pinto, who is starring in new Woody Allen directed movie “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger”, has revealed her on set experience.

The 25 year old actress revealed that she was very comfortable working with Allen, 74, and that he gave her much leeway to improvise on the script.

“You cannot predict what will happen and what his style of directing will be like,” said Freida.

“Everyone told me that he was going to be very quiet and very elusive and that he was probably not going to talk to me. But that wasn’t the case at all.

“That’s the amazing thing about Woody Allen. He doesn’t want you to follow the script like it’s the Bible. He wants you to be flexible and bring your own flavour to a character.

Pinto was asked whether she has gained more confidence after working with Allen.

“This film pretty much marked the peak of my confidence. If I could work on a project with a legendary director like him, then I don’t think there’ll be any other challenges that come my way that I can’t handle!” she added.

Freida Pinto poses for GQ photoshoot

Indian actress Freida Pinto has posed in a short leather skirt, while sporting a sultry look during a photoshoot for GQ magazine.

The 25 year old actress had on a low cut beige vested top, complete with red nail varnish and tousled black hair, as she posed for the photoshoot for American GQ magazine.

The actress gave a sultry look as she cut up a blood red pomegranate, which she deseeded with a sharp knife.

The ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ star also posed in a series of provocative outfits for the photoshoot, which she had taken part in to promote her new film work.

Freida's GQ photos here

Freida Pinto to skip Cannes festival

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ star Freida Pinto, who was supposed to be a part of the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival, will not be attending the event owing to shooting commitments.

The actress was expected to walk the red carpet with the stars of "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" directed by Woody Allen.

"This is to confirm that Freida Pinto unfortunately will not be attending the Cannes film festival as she is shooting for ‘Immortals’ in Canada. Her film ‘You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger’ directed by Woody Allen will be premiering at Cannes," said a statement from her spokesperson.

‘Immortals’ directed by Tarsem Singh is slated to release in 2011. The Cannes Film Festival opens May 12.

Aishwarya & Freida to fight at Cannes

While Indian film fraternity is gearing up to make its presence felt at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival, two of the most glamorous B-town beauties seem to be getting ready to fight it out with each other at the much-awaited evening.

Well, we are talking about the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai and the stunning Freida Pinto, who are set to walk the red carpet at the coveted fest next month. According to the latest buzz, Ash and Freida are gearing up in their own way to make sure that one looks better than the other as they go on to represent India at the 63rd Cannes Film Fest.

Freida is expected to come to Cannes as part of the cast of Woody Allen’s new film ‘You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger’, which was shot in London and also stars Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins and Anna Friel. The film, which features Anupam Kher as the father of the character played by Freida, is being shown out of competition.

On the other hand, Bollywood’s international face, Ash, is set to dazzle the occasion along with hubby Abhishek Bachchan and filmmaker Mani Ratnam, as the trio would screen their upcoming flick ‘Raavan’ at the ‘Official India Pavillion’.

In the past, the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ actress had to defend her decision for not wearing a sari, by saying that that she was too young for it. However, for this year too, it has still not been revealed if Freida would wear something Indian when she graces the red carpet during the world’s most glamorous film festival in May. Whereas, style diva Ash seems pretty confident about the fashion statement she’s set to make at the occasion.

We’d have to wait to find out who manages to make a stronger impression at Cannes this time round – Freida or Aishwarya?

Freida Pinto to play Greek priestess

Bollywood Babe Freida Pinto is going places. After bagging a role in Woody Allen’s film, the “Slumdog Millionaire” actress is set to portray a Greek priestess in “War of the Gods”.

The film is about the Greek mythology and will be directed by Tarsem Singh. Its production begins in April.

The story revolves around a young warrior Theseus who leads his men into battle with the immortal Greek gods to defeat evil and the powerful elder gods of the Titans in order to save mankind.

the 25 year old, Pinto will portray Phaedra, an oracle priestess who must join Theseus, played by Henry Cavill of “The Tudors” fame. Phaedra joins Theseus to prevent the cataclysmic war from erupting.

The film will be produced by Gianni Nunnari of Hollywood Gang Prods, Mark Canton of Atmosphere Entertainment and Relativity topper Ryan Kavanaugh. Nunnari and Canton partnered on 2007’s “300”, which starred Gerard Butler in the lead.

The original screenplay of the movie was written by Harley and Vlas Parlapanides while Jason Keller has penned the most recent draft of the script.

Pinto shot to international fame after her role as Latika, the childhood sweetheart of Jamaal, the urchin boy, who goes on to win USD 10 million in a TV game show in Danny Boyle’s multi-Oscar-winning film.

Pinto has completed shooting Woody Allen’s “You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger” opposite Josh Brolin and Naomi Watts, and Israeli film “Miral”, which has been directed by Julian Schnabel.

Freida Pinto: Bollywood’s loss is Hollywood’s gain

Freida Pinto is making waves these days as the actress has been roped in as a new ambassador for a huge cosmetic brand. Seems like Bollywood’s loss is Hollywood’s gain! The stunner, whose latest ad campaign caught a lot of attention, has become a huge hit with our filmmakers. Vying to get the lass interested in filmdom, filmmakers are doing everything to lure the lady back home.

The dusky beauty is the international face of the same brand, which beautiful Sonam Kapoor advertises in the domestic market. And going by her awe-striking look in the advertisement, the sizzler is already boasting of a long list of admirers.

So much so is her ad a hit that Bollywood biggies on various networking sites have sent feelers to Freida’s business manager, compelling the actress to give the Hindi film industry a serious thought.

However, coming back to India seems like a distant dream, as her professional diary is full with many Hollywood projects and international film festivals. The directors would probably have to wait for a while till she’s done with the work at hand.

It seems like Bollywood has lost one talented actress to Hollywood.

More Pictures: Freida Pinto in Body Crushing Dress

Freida Pinto in body crushing dress grabs eyeballs

The Slumdog Millionaire fame Freida Pinto recently grabbed the eyeballs at Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2010 show in Paris. She was spotted wearing a body-crushing blue frock.

She was said to have stunned all with the tight-fitting layers. The star was seen pushing the material to its limit as she bent her body. The 24-year-old allegedly struggled with her attire as she tried to sit down.

Freida Pinto confesses love for Dev Patel

The 24 year old star of highly successful and acclaimed worldwide movie, Slumdog Millionaire, Freida Pinto has for the first time confessed her love for her 19 year old co-star Dev Patel.

The couple have earlier been spotted cuddling up in Israel, and ring shopping in London after the Oscar-winning film was released.

And now, in a recent interview, Freida has called Dev “a lovely boy”.

“The friendship blossomed after the film, it got even stronger. This is all new to us”, said Frieda.

Freida Pinto to work with Madhur Bhandarkar

For all those vying to catch international sensation Freida Pinto in a typical Bollywood potboiler there is some good news. The stunner, who is globetrotting with a series a hip projects safely tucked away in her kitty, has finally given a green signal to Bollywood.

But there is a hitch, the one film sensation, Pinto is willing to work in Bollywood only if hit churner Madhur Bhandarkar is willing to direct her film. The smothering dame, who is presently busy with ‘Miral’ directed by American Julian Schnabel and will soon be seen in Woody Allen’s film, has made quiet a condition.

It all started when Freida in an interview to the international press said that she would do a Bollywood film only if it was a Bhandarkar film.

When the news reached Madhur he was naturally flattered. To work with Pinto, the current international sensation, would be any Bollywood director's dream scheme.

Says Madhur, "I'm quite flattered to hear Freida wants to work with me. I think she is aware of my female-oriented cinema. She must have seen the performances that Tabu and Konkona Sen gave in Chandni Bar and Page 3. I'd love to work with Freida."

Considering Bhandarkar has time and again only cast tried and tested actresses, Freida sure expects the taskmaster to go out of his way.

Well Freida sure seems to have given Bhandarkar a reason to smile.

Freida Pinto is new face of L’Oreal

Freida Pinto and Evangeline Lilly are the latest beauties to join the list of celebrities to endorse products by cosmetic giant L’Oreal.

While there have been persistent Internet rumours that the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ star would be the face of Estee Lauder, Freida has said that she is excited to be the face of L’Oreal.

“I am very moved to be joining the great L’Oreal Paris family and all these personalities: a family I am now proud to be a part of,” said Freida in a statement.

And the other A-lister, to step in front of the lens for L’Oreal, is ‘Lost’ star Evangeline Lilly, who says: “It is a source of great pride for me to represent a brand whose ambition is to respond to every person’s aspirations to beauty and contribute to the fulfillment and well-being of everyone.”

Dev Patel and Freida Pinto among 100 Most Beautiful People

Dev Patel and Freida Pinto have made it to US magazine People’s list of 100 Most Beautiful People. The young couple has achieved great heights of fame ever since they tasted success in the Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire.

This list has however been topped by well-known star Christina Applegate who received admiration for her fight against breast cancer.

Michelle Obama, wife of US President Barack Obama and also a fashion icon of US, has also made it to the list for the first time.

Zac Efron and Rob Pattinson, who are pretty famous among the teenagers, also joined the list.

Kristen Stewart, George Clooney, Nick and Joe Jonas, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Halle Berry are also part of the list.

Freida Pinto caught getting intimate

Slumdog Millionaire stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto could not keep their real romance under wraps for long as they were spotted kissing during a romantic night out in Israel.

The actors, who played childhood sweethearts in the Oscar-winning movie, are dating for real began circulating after 'Slumdog' co-star Anil Kapoor hinted they were an item.

Kapoor said, "When I meet them I feel there is something happening. I think, this is the beginning of something exciting happening. They definitely make a great pair. Both of them look very good together."

The British teenager recently visited Israel to see Pinto on the set of her new movie Miral, and the pair was later spotted enjoying a few tender moments during a romantic dinner.

Freida Pinto among top ten World Sexiest Women

Forget Bipasha Basu or Katrina Kaif, it’s dusky charmer Freida Pinto who is giving jitters to international beauties like Eva Longoria, Nicole Scherzinger as she has left them all far behind to be on the 10th spot in world’s sexiest list compiled by renowned fashion magazine, FHM. Having given nightmares to leading Bollywood beauties, Freida Pinto has now moved on to battle world’s smothering hot ladies to reign supreme in beauty polls.

Frieda Pinto’s humble past followed by sudden ‘Oscar’ success has turned her into an overnight sensation. Going places, where leading B-town beauties can only dream of, this red carpet darling is beating all competitions hands down.

After fighting out for the mother of all beauty title ‘Helen of Troy’, wherein Miss Pinto was one of the 19 divas struggling cut-throat competition, Freida is giving the hot sensations a run for their money.

Topped by ‘Girl’s Aloud’ singer Cheryl Cole, the FHM list comprises of the world’s most beautiful ladies.

Here’s a look at the top ten sexiest females in the world:
1) Cheryl Cole
2) Megan Fox
3) Jessica Alba
4) Britney Spears
5) Keeley Hazell
6) Adriana Lima
7) Elisha Cuthbert
8) Kristin Kreuk
9) Anna Friel
10) Freida Pinto

Other notable additions to the chart include French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife Carla Bruni, who was voted 40th sexiest woman in the world. Amazingly, she was voted sexier than both Eva Longoria (41st) and Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger (60th).