‘They Would Always Cut…’: Nelly Furtado Claims Magazines Often Lightened Her Skin And Edited Her Hips In The Early 2000s

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but admire the resilience and strength that Nelly Furtado has shown throughout her career. From her powerful voice to her fearless spirit, she has always been a beacon of inspiration for me. However, it’s heartbreaking to learn about the struggles she faced in the early 2000s, where magazine editors felt the need to alter her skin tone and body shape to fit their ideals.


In the 2000s, Nelly Furtado, the versatile artist recognized for her unique fusion of pop, R&B, hip-hop, and folk music, became widely popular with songs such as I’m Like a Bird, Promiscuous, and Say It Right. Recently, in an interview, she disclosed that magazines would adjust the shade of her skin and modify her body silhouette during that period.

Talking candidly with folks, Furtado shared that magazine editors back in the 2000s often brightened her skin tone in photographs due to her olive complexion. Additionally, they would alter her figure, particularly her hips, to fit a specific image.

In an editorial, they often chose to truncate or abbreviate their thoughts, as Furtado revealed. Born in British Columbia, she is a child of Portuguese immigrants.

The artist not only penned songs addressing the disparity in racial representation beyond whiteness, but also dealt with criticism over her physical appearance.

In your publications, portray my visage as if it’s more radiant than reality suggests, a reflection of your aspirations perhaps; conceal the essence of my heritage, as I sing this song titled Powerless, first heard in 2003.

By the time of my second album,” Furtado shared with PEOPLE, “I think I had become quite frustrated about it.” Yet, she added, even amidst the challenging journey, she considered herself fortunate to collaborate with an exceptional group of people, who felt more like a cherished family to her.

She expressed that her team was incredibly supportive, always prioritizing her well-being, and she attributed this to good upbringing, saying, “They were always there for me.

Discussing unscrupulous practices within the music scene, Furtado additionally mentioned that her boldness was instrumental in handling the ruthless environment of the industry during the 2000s period.

Speaking about her music, Furtado has recently come back with her seventh studio album titled ‘7’, which she launched this month following a seven-year hiatus to focus on her children.

She has three children: Nevis Gahunia, who is 21 years old, shared with her former partner, music composer Jasper Gahunia; a 6-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son, born from her previous relationship with rapper Jerry (whose real name is Gerard Damien Long). This information comes from Page Six.

Besides her success in the music industry, Furtado is well-known for her charitable endeavors and advocacy for numerous social issues as well.

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2024-09-30 17:07