Video Appears To Show Teen Using Makeup For Blackface At Boston Sephora

By Mike Sullivan, CBS Boston

February 14, 2024

BOSTON - It's a viral video for all of the wrong reasons. A teen was spotted at the Sephora in the Prudential Mall while putting on makeup in what appears to be blackface. In the video, the person recording can be heard calling it shameful. Another person in the store stepped in to talk with the teen.

"I think what made the situation more impactful was an account of them making animal noises on top of putting this blackface on," said Dr. Noelle Trent, President and CEO of the Museum of African American History in Boston and Nantucket. "Blackface is absolutely dehumanizing. It is the visual embodiment of the "N" word. It is the worst visual racial epitaph for Black people."

In a statement, the company said, "Sephora's top priority is to create a welcoming and inclusive shopping experience for all. We are extremely disappointed by the behavior of these shoppers at our Prudential Center location, and as such, they were asked to leave our premises. Under no circumstance is this type of behavior tolerated at Sephora."

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