2000s Popstar Faces Mixed Reactions Over Dramatic Change

As time goes by, growing older is something all of us experience. For most folks, these changes are just a part of life. However, for some, the process isn’t as warmly embraced. Celebrities are no exception to this rule. Just like anyone else, they face aging, but public attention often focuses more on famous women and any changes they go through, whether natural or cosmetic. This is the case with a pop sensation from the 2000s, who is receiving attention simply for aging.

Let’s dive into what fans and observers are saying about this well-known artist.

Nelly Furtado, a Canadian singer, burst onto the music scene around the year 2000. Known by the media as one of Canada’s top music stars, her debut album, ‘Whoa, Nelly!’, was a major hit both critically and commercially. The album featured chart-toppers like “I’m Like a Bird” and “Turn Off the Light,” which soared into the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her success with “I’m Like a Bird” even earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Although her public image seemed perfect, Furtado has recently revealed that things were quite different behind the scenes. In an open interview, she discussed the challenges of her early fame.

She recounted the heavy use of airbrushing on her photos. “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,” she shared. In 2003, her song ‘Powerless’ from the album ‘Folklore,’ echoed her thoughts on the subject. Lyrics like, “Paint my face in your magazines / Make it look whiter than it seems / Paint me over with your dreams / Shove away my ethnicity” highlighted her frustrations. Of Portuguese descent, Furtado admitted that by her second album, she felt quite upset about these pressures. Nonetheless, she remains grateful for her journey and holds no grudges.

Furtado acknowledges her strong matriarchal family and supportive team for empowering her with confidence and direction, crucial in her successful navigation of the music industry.

At one point, she took a step back from fame to focus on her family. She is a mother of three, including her oldest son, Nevis Gahunia, who is now 21 years old.

During a demanding period after having two of her children within just 14 months, she discovered she had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

While she always lived with ADHD, it was through caring for her young children so close in age that she received a formal diagnosis. She explained, “When I was attending college, [I was like] ‘Boing, boing, boing, boing.’ I’ve had it my whole life. But having my two youngest so close made me acutely aware of my ADHD.” The diagnosis led her to prioritize being present and attentive, focusing on sleeping well, exercising, and sticking to a routine. She added that dancing helps her manage her ADHD effectively.

Recently, Furtado made a musical comeback with her first album in seven years, drawing her back into the spotlight. Her live performances of new tracks have sparked discussions!

A fan on Facebook remarked about her current look, “What a beautiful woman,” while another commented, “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.” Another user was upset with the criticism of her weight gain, writing, “So, she gained some weight. So, what! She still looks gorgeous. This obsession with weight is ridiculous.” Others noted, “She looks better with the curves.”

On X (formerly known as Twitter), some users also discussed her new figure. One expressed, “Nelly Furtado so [expletive] thick,” while another noted, “She was skinny when she was younger…BUT NOT NOW!”

The general sentiment appears to be supportive, with most comments celebrating her look. What are your thoughts on the commentary around Furtado’s appearance? Feel free to share your thoughts with others and join in on the conversation!