Epic Photoshop Fail! PEOPLE Magazine Accused Of ‘Classic Example’ Of Lightening Lupita Nyong’o's Skin For 'Most Beautiful' Cover

Lupita Nyong’o has been named PEOPLE's Most Beautiful woman of the year -- a coveted honor, unless the 12 Years A Slave star's skin was digitally altered?

One expert has told RadarOnline.com that he believes the famed magazine used creative lighting to brighten the breakout actress’ skin tone and make her look lighter.

“This is though a classic example of a ‘well lit photo’ versus a photo with poor lighting,” Giles Fabris, the Chief Executive Officer & Director of Operations for LookBetterOnline.com, told RadarOnline.com in an exclusive interview.

“She looks washed out in the PEOPLE magazine photo."

This is not the first time a magazine has been accused of such trickery: In January, Vanity Fair was slammed online from readers who said Nyong'o's dark skin looked noticeably lighter.

The Kenyan born star, 31, took home the Oscar for her role in 12 Years a Slave and remains the toast of Tinseltown, earning praise for her performance and fashion forward red carpet choices throughout awards season.

Further adding weight to the claims about PEOPLE, Nyong'o appears different from her natural look and other appearance on covers, like this one -- Dazed and Confused, where she appeared in February.

But Fabris said any change would have been innocuous and not motivated for nefarious reasons.

"I don't think that PEOPLE magazine have lightened her skin in any attempt to ‘whiten her,'" he added, "this is evident when looking at the color of her hair... Isn't she beautiful”

In the past, Nyong’o has spoken out about her struggle to fit the Hollywood mold for "pretty."

“Beauty was what I saw on television, you know, light skin and long, flowing, straight hair,” she once said. “Subconsciously you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess.”

What do you think about Nyong’o’s cover look?  Tell us in comments, below.