Over the years, the following award-winning musician has gone through a remarkable transformation, which has sparked conversations online. Take a look at her journey, as she reflects on how the media once perceived her, especially concerning body image.
A well-known singer from the 2000s continues to amaze fans, not just with her powerful vocals but also with her stunning physical appearance. Her latest performances have ignited a wave of online discussions, with opinions varying widely about her current look.
The singer pictured backstage at Riverside Studios on January 1, 2000, in Hammersmith, London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The Hollywood star, considered one of the most successful Canadian artists, first captured the public’s attention with her trip-hop-inspired debut album, “Whoa, Nelly!” (2000).
The singer during VH1 Presents: “Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin” on April 10, 2001, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
This album achieved both critical and commercial success, producing two singles that soared into the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100: “I’m Like a Bird” and “Turn Off the Light.” The success of “I’m Like a Bird” even won her the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
The songwriter photographed on January 1, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
However, along with her success came a series of difficult experiences. In a recent interview, the songwriter opened up about her early years in the music industry, shedding light on the struggles she faced during that time.
The singer during the 2002 ALMA Awards on May 17, 2002, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
One of the most striking memories she shared from that era was extensive airbrushing. “I have olive skin, and they’d kind of lighten my skin a lot in photos, and kind of take my hips down all the time — they would always cut off in editorials,” the celebrity candidly revealed.
The songwriter pictured on January 1, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
The experience became the inspiration for her song “Powerless,” featured on her 2003 sophomore album, “Folklore.” In the song, the artist sings about the alterations made to her image, expressing lines like, “Paint my face in your magazines / Make it look whiter than it seems / Paint me over with your dreams / Shove away my ethnicity.”
The singer during Tom Cruise, Kanye West, Jeremy Piven, Twista and Keyshia Cole Visit MTV’s “TRL” on May 3, 2006, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Of Portuguese descent, the songwriter, who has recently unveiled her seventh album, “7,” admitted, “By my second album, I guess I was kind of angry about it.”
The singer attends the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards on November 1, 2007, in Munich, Germany. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the challenges she faced, she looks back on her early fame with gratitude, feeling fortunate to have been shielded from the darker side of the entertainment industry that affected some of her peers.
The singer performs at Free The Children’s We Day on September 27, 2011, in Toronto, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
The singer credits her strong, matriarchal family and the solid support of her team for providing her with a sense of assertiveness and guidance, which helped her navigate the music business successfully.
The singer attends the German Sustainability Award on November 28, 2014, in Duesseldorf, Germany. | Source: Getty Images
At one point, Nelly Furtado once stepped away from the limelight to focus on raising her children. She is now a mother of three: two daughters, including 21-year-old Nevis Gahunia, and a son.
Nelly Furtado attends the 2016 Canada’s Walk Of Fame Awards on October 6, 2016, in Toronto, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
After the birth of her two younger children, just 14 months apart, Furtado discovered she was living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Nelly Furtado performs on stage during New York City Pride 2017 – Pride Island – Sunday on June 25, 2017, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
While caring for her daughter, now 6, and son, 5, she recognized the symptoms in herself and was officially diagnosed. Furtado shares her two younger children, whose names remain private, with her ex, rapper Jerry (Gerard Damien Long).
Nelly Furtado attends the Rabanne Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show on September 28, 2023, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
The mother of three had lived with ADHD her entire life. However, it was the “chaos” of raising two young children close in age that ultimately led to her diagnosis.
Nelly Furtado performs during Emblema 2024 festival on May 18, 2024, in Mexico City, Mexico. | Source: Getty Images
She disclosed, “When I was attending college, [I was like] ‘Boing, boing, boing, boing.’ I’ve had it my whole life. But when I had my two youngest in close proximity, it made me very aware of my ADHD.”
Nelly Furtado performs at the Forbidden Fruit Festival 2024 on June 2, 2024, in Dublin, Ireland. | Source: Getty Images
Since her diagnosis, Furtado has become more mindful, often reflecting on how to stay grounded amidst daily distractions. Exercise, especially dancing, has been key to her routine. She finds that time in the dance studio helps keep her ADHD in check and brings her focus.
Nelly Furtado attends the Los Angeles premiere of “The Greatest Hits,” 2024 | Source: Getty Images
With the release of her new album, her first in seven years, the doting mom has returned to the spotlight. Her recent live performances have sparked conversations about her appearance, with some praising her beauty while others focused on her physique.
Some Facebook users complimented the music star with one commenting, “What a beautiful woman,” while another added, “She actually looks a whole better than what she looked like in 2006 [sic] thicker more voluptuous body after having kids. Perfect I love it.”
Meanwhile, one person defended Furtado’s physical appearance, expressing, “So, she gained some weight. So, what! She still looks gorgeous. This obsession with weight is ridiculous.” “She looks better with the curves,” echoed another individual. More users from X (formerly known as Twitter) compared Furtado’s look from back in the day.
“Nelly Furtado so [expletive] thick,” remarked one X user. Another observed, “She was skinny when she was younger…BUT NOT NOW!” Someone else shared a similar view, “She used to be slim back in the day.”
Nelly Furtado’s reemergence into the limelight has ignited conversations around her music and appearance, reflecting the multifaceted nature of fame. Despite the chatter, she remains focused on her journey, inspiring many with her resilience and growth as an artist.
