Alicia Keys Attends BET Awards Bare-Faced, Sticks To #NoMakeup Pledge
Alicia Keys showed her natural beauty at the recently concluded BET Awards, and the 35-year-old singer looked stunning.
Last month, Alicia Keys penned an essay on Lena Dunham’s newsletter site Lenny Letter, where she explained why she is embracing the #NoMakeup movement. In her essay, Alicia talked about being in junior high where all the pretty girls wore makeup.
“It’s another moment where some piece of you realizes that to fit in or be thought of as beautiful you have to cover up to be a bit closer to perfect.”
Alicia Keys also recalled the time when she was starting to be recognized in public and said that all the people had something judgemental to say about her. Because of her experience, Alicia started to hide from her true self.
“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.”
Swizzy said give it to em!!!???????????????????????? #BETAwards #InCommon pic.twitter.com/dPOYcGl22K
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) June 26, 2016
That all changed, however, when she started working on her latest album. She was sick of all the stereotypes and judgements about women. She mentioned a particular song that she wrote entitled “When a Girl Can’t Be Herself,” with the lyrics, “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 this Maybelline is covering my self-esteem.”
Alicia Keys also has insecurities and she was always concerned about putting on makeup whenever she went out.
“What if someone wanted a picture?? What if they POSTED it??? These were the insecure, superficial, but honest thoughts I was thinking.”
Alicia decided to change all that and she was put to the test when Paola Kudacki, a photographer, wanted to shoot Alicia for her album artwork without any makeup on. Alicia admitted that she was uncomfortable and nervous at first, but she soon got over it, as reported by People. And that’s how the #NoMakeup trend started.
“I swear it is the strongest, most empowered, most free, and most honestly beautiful that I have ever felt.”
Alicia Keys has also posted several makeup-free images of herself on her Instagram account.
Now, Alicia Keys has taken it to the next level by attending the BET Awards show with no makeup at all. While other stars walked the red carpet all glammed up, Alicia chose to go bare-faced. Not only that, she also appeared in her music video “In Common” with no makeup, and she shot a cover for Fault magazine fresh-faced.
At the BET Awards, Alicia wore a black jumpsuit with a gold belt and a shimmery head wrap. Alicia Keys was praised by several outlets for her gutsy move.
“We love that Keys is sticking by her message–and is clearly happy with the results! You do you, and that’s a beautiful thing.” — Glamour Magazine
“It’s a bold commitment for Keys, one in which takes real guts. And we applaud her for her honesty and sticking to her guns.” — Mashable
“It’s exciting and commendable that Keys remains dedicated to her stance then, now, and even at an awards show.” — Refinery 29
“Many celebrities post the occasional ‘no makeup selfie’ but showing up makeup-free to an awards show proves Keys’ commitment to ‘a revolution’ of women showing their ‘real and raw’ selves.” — Huffington Post
In her essay, Alicia Keys wrapped up her thoughts by saying that she hopes the movement becomes a revolution.
“‘Cause I don’t want to cover up anymore. Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing.”
[Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP]
