Spotlighting: Alicia Keys

Whenever we hear about celebrities welcoming the public eye into their private worlds, human nature insists we question how truthful the tell-all books, interviews, photographs, and social media comments really are. Because quite frankly, the question is not so much their ability to survive a few bouts of public opinion, but rather… their comfort level with bravely baring it all.

Well, in the case of American singer, songwriter, pianist, producer, actress, and New York Times best-selling author – ‘Alicia Keys‘, she has taken a stand to go makeup-free. This is her way of showing the public at large just how candid and transparent she can be. Yes, you heard us right, Alicia has decided to bare it all (that is… from the neck up, of course). Understandably, this is a huge feat for any celebrity who is constantly in the limelight, or fears ridicule from the media; and according to the “You Don’t Know My Name” singer – she loves the freedom of no longer feeling hidden.

In an industry where image, sex, and perfection sells, the 15-time Grammy award-winning artist completed a make-up free photo session for her new album with photographer Paola Kudacki. When ‘Keys’ arrived on-set ‘Kudacki’ asked her to remain in her street clothes (to create an honest representation for the project, which unknowingly sharpened her personal perspective of self-worth). This proved to be a bold move that would ultimately force the manufactured enhancement of beauty to take a back seat, while ‘Keys’ ignited a movement for change and acceptance for those who felt harnessed by industry expectations.

Back in May 2016, Alicia wrote a powerful essay for ‘Lenny Letter’ titled “Time to Uncover”. In this essay, ‘Keys’ opens up about the pressures from the entertainment industry to ‘be’ and ‘dress’ a certain way, which she feels didn’t fit her personality. In holding to her unique sense of style and artistic expression, she has finally said enough-is-enough, and refuses to promote any image she feels will misrepresent her existence as a woman, or one that serves to slant the expectations for beauty.

In the much-talked-about letter, ‘Keys’ is quoted as saying, “In one song I wrote, called ‘When a Girl Can’t Be Herself’, it says… In the morning from the minute that I wake up / What if I don’t want to put on all that makeup / Who says I must conceal what I’m made of / Maybe all of this Maybelline is covering my self esteem. No disrespect to Maybelline… but the truth is, I was really starting to feel like that; that as I am… I was not good enough for the world to see. I started, more than ever, to become a chameleon. Never fully being who I was, but constantly changing so all the “they’s” would accept me.”

Well, Alicia is proving she is POSITIVELY good enough. The world is in acceptance of her choices, and is definitely taking notice. In fact, fellow artists such as Gabrielle Union and Tyra Banks are starting to support the ‘no make-up’ movement as well, by posting anti-makeup selfies on social media; an act of self-assurance Alicia hopes will revolutionize the way women see themselves.

As uniquely as she has taken the music world by storm, this remarkable artist and humanitarian has decided she will be the voice of divergence for the way she and others are marketed and perceived (yes, a rather big ‘boss’ move, by someone who’s honest about what she’s made of).

Here at ‘the TZ element’, we support Alicia Keys and others with regard to personal choices. We won’t call the act of going makeup-free ‘bold’, so much as deeming it a move of ’empowerment’ and ‘respect’ for one’s self.

Allow our team to make it perfectly clear – Alicia does not shun anyone who elects to wear makeup; in fact, she recently posted a tweet which speaks to a suggestion for those with varying viewpoints… “Y’all, me choosing to be makeup free doesn’t mean I’m anti-makeup. Do you!”

That’s right, Alicia, you tell’em!

We invite you to join us as we check out Alicia’s highly anticipated song appropriately titled “Back To Life”, for the ‘Queen of Katwe’ (Disney movie soundtrack); as well as her single “Blended Family (What You Do For Love)”. I guess you can say we’re “Fallin” for both of these songs as they blaze charts and hearts; but, c’mon… would we expect anything less from a girl who’s on fiyahhh, of course not!