Earlier this spring Alicia Keys wrote an empowering essay for Lenny Letter about the overwhelming pressure she feels to look perfect and she has now revealed that she was surprised by the world's reaction to her comments. 

Speaking as part of the BBC’s 100 Women 2016 series, she explained that getting the subject into the spotlight is so important because it means a dialogue can begin on self-respect and self-worth where image is concerned:

“I was a bit surprised at it but also in a good way. I was glad that we were having this type of conversation.”

She went onto add that encouraging people to embrace the ways in which they feel comfortable is the best thing she can hope for: “I’m just one for variety, that’s my thing. I just want myself and my daughter if I had one and my sons to see a variety of what people look like…"

"We look a vast array of ways. It’s really not about make-up or no make-up or anything like that. It’s about what makes you comfortable. And it’s about being able to explore versions of what makes you comfortable."

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Watch Keys in action here: