Nelly Furtado is entering the new year with an empowering message. On Sunday, the Canadian singer took to Instagram to share a "body neutral" message for 2025 with her fans, dispelling any myths about appearance. The 46-year-old mother of three shared two unedited photos of herself proudly posing in a bright orange bikini, along with a lengthy message about her relationship with her appearance.
"This year I became aware of the aesthetic pressure of my work in a brand new way, and at the same time, I experienced new levels of self-love and genuine confidence from within," Furtado wrote.
The "Say It Right" singer added she took legal action against some online "charlatans" allegedly selling health and beauty myths using her likeness. "For whoever cares, I have never had any body surgeries or augmentation, besides for veneers on the top row of my teeth quite recently," she clarified. Furtado stated she hasn’t had any face or lip filler "so far," but does have a facialist who she has trusted for more than 20 years.
Besides drinking ample water and sleeping on her back before photo shoots and red carpet appearances, she sometimes relies on the Hollywood beauty trick of face tape. "Sometimes on the red carpet or at photo shoots, my makeup artist uses face tape to give my eyes, skin, and makeup more lift," she explained.
Face tape has been used by Hollywood makeup artists for decades as non-surgical way to temporarily lift the face. With strategically placed tape, artists can give the cat-eye or help lift and sculpt the cheeks and jawline. Lady Gaga, Bella Hadid, and Chrissy Teigen are among the celebrities who have relied on this technique when making public appearances.
Furtado elaborated, "Sometimes my stylist uses body tape to give different silhouettes. Body makeup can also be contoured to achieve certain looks. Makeup can do magical things! So can great eyebrows! So can a great hairstylist! So can great underthings!"
The star says she's embraced her body, saying, "I have spider veins and they remind me of my mom and aunties and life so I think that's why I haven't parted with them so far." The poignant statement resonates through her social media, encouraging followers to embrace themselves without pretense.
Furtado urged her audience to step confidently as they enter the new year. "... Express yourself freely, celebrate your individuality, and know it's perfectly OK to be OK with what you see in the mirror and also OK to want something different," she said.
She concluded by expressing gratitude to her followers for their support, saying, "HAVE A BODY NEUTRAL 2025, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, LOVE WITH EVERY INCH OF YOUR HEART. THANKS FOR ALL THE MEMORIES THIS YEAR."
The post struck a chord with fans, drawing numerous comments appreciating her candidness about beauty standards. Many thanked her for her insight and authenticity. One follower expressed, "Hats off for this honest post! And respect for embracing your natural self and giving us a glimpse of such a genuine part of yourself. Authenticity has always been one of your greatest qualities."
Another commented, "You're amazing Nelly, thank you for teaching us such an important lesson. You're beautiful the way you are, and it is even more beautiful seeing you love and embrace yourself publicly as you're doing it."
Furtado's message underscores the importance of self-love and breaking free from conventional beauty standards. Her fans continue to rally around her, sharing sentiments about how significant such honesty is within the public eye.
Social media has elevated conversations about body image, and Furtado's decision to share her own experiences has inspired others to celebrate their authentic selves. Many feel compelled to engage openly about their own body positivity journeys, reflecting the widespread resonance of her empowering message.
Entering 2025, Furtado not only models confidence and self-acceptance but champions the notion of celebrating every aspect of oneself. Her story—and the meaningful connections formed through it—show the impact one voice can have amid the relentless pressure of societal aesthetics.