Alicia Keys Doesn’t Agree With Social Norms: Let a boy paint his nails!

Alicia Keys Doesn’t Agree With Social Norms

Musician, mother, mentor, and activist Alicia Keys continues to add titles to her resume. The singer has made headlines after announcing that she would no longer wear makeup to appeal to the beauty standards placed upon us by society and continues to make waves in the music industry as a judge on hit television show The Voice. Recently, Alicia further elaborated on her no makeup journey, self-love, gender expectations and the “We Are Here Movement.” Read some excerpts below.

On makeup and going barefaced:

I have no intention to shame anyone at all [who chooses to wear it]. No one should be ashamed by the way you choose to express yourself. And that’s exactly the point. However, if you want to do that for yourself, you should do that.

On her listening to her inner voice:

I think there’s something really beautiful about what resonates from within us. One thing I’ve heard more than ever is this glow that people refer to that I have. I kind of recognize that glow because I’ve begun to listen to myself inside. And I think there’s something really powerful that happens when you start to listen to yourself. It makes you feel more aware.

On expression and women’s rights:

I am all about a woman’s right to choose. I think a woman should do anything she wants as it relates to her face, her body, her health. Whatever mode of expression that empowers you, that’s what you should do. What I am not down for is this ridiculously high, unrealistic expectation about appearance that we as women are held to.

On gender roles and social norms:

…I am so annoyed at the way we force boys to be fake strong—don’t cry, don’t be soft. Let a boy be able to dance! Let a boy paint his nails. So a boy wants to paint his nails. Who cares! All these strange, oppressive ideas.

On the “We Are Here Movement”:

The We Are Here Movement will stand in support of Hispanics, refugees, people of color, Muslims, and anyone who feels afraid in the upcoming Trump era. I have a hope that President Trump, as a New Yorker, will have more liberal views than his campaign rhetoric suggests and that in the end our system of justice will prevail. But it does hurt that racism was not a deal breaker for millions in the election.

The full interview can be read here.

By:@MalikkaMichelle