Singer India Arie laughs off skin-lightening talk

This publicity photo provided by SoulBird/Motown shows the cover artwork for singer India Arie's single, "Cocoa Butter." (AP Photo/SoulBird/Motown, Randee St. Nicholas)

NEW YORK - India Arie is laughing off talk that she may have lightened her skin.

The R&B songstress is known for singing about being authentic and celebrating one's true self. But some accused India.Arie of lightening her skin when a publicity photo for her song "Cocoa Butter" released this week made it look as though she were several shades lighter than her dark brown complexion.

But India Arie took to Twitter on Friday to deny the accusations, saying she has no desire to bleach her skin because she loves herself and her brown skin "more than ever." She also said that "magnificent lighting" is the cause for her "glow."

She added that she'd like to keep the conversation going, though, on the issue of racism and colorism in the black community.