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Home · Celebrity

Why Alicia Keys' 'Real Bodies' Marilyn Monroe Tweet Didn't Go Over So Well

Did the internet take this tweet the wrong way, or did the singer miss the mark?
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By Danielle Kwateng-Clark · Updated December 6, 2020
Alicia Keys is having a hard time conveying messages on the internet as of late. The singer is under fire for a photo of Marilyn Monroe she recently posted on Twitter. “Real bodies = gorgeous,” Keys’ captioned the photo of a bikini-clad Monroe.

Real bodies=gorgeous pic.twitter.com/uhSQaHRw6c

— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) April 15, 2017
Problem is, Monroe had cosmetic work done and women weren’t here for the message of natural being a better standard — even though Keys didn’t directly imply that natural was better.

All bodies = gorgeous. Bodies w/ prosthetics = gorgeous. Amputees = gorgeous. People w/ cosmetic or health-related surgeries = gorgeous.

— 🆃🆁🆄🅳🆈 (@thetrudz) April 16, 2017
 

The problem is she's saying real bodies = gorgeous and with this she refers to a picture of MM. So that is the standard for "real" ?

— hi (@ditsderealme) April 16, 2017
 

girl. I know you mean well. I know your heart really thinks this is cool. But, girl...

— Dr. Petty Shabazz (@Shaye_Tova) April 16, 2017
 

MM had a nose job, modified her chin, dyed her hair platinum blonde....its just not a good ex.also her body WAS the model in her era

— Dr. Liz Wayne 🏆 (@LizWaynePhD) April 16, 2017
 

Sis....*all* bodies are "real" bodies. Quit with this fake deep stuff....it's tired.

— Kia (@Kia_Hutch) April 16, 2017
  Misconstrued or missed the mark? Whatever the case, this isn’t the first time the singer’s posts have been scrutinized. A couple weeks ago, she caught flack for posting a photo of artist,Ali Al Sharji on National Muslim Woman’s Day due to the controversial nature of the photo. Sharji is pictured in niqāb, a full body traditional Muslim covering, with one leg exposed. Keys’ captioned the photo, “Our strength is in our differences. Our power is in our diversity. We are so beautiful. All of us. When we see each other. We see ourselves.” But social media had some thoughts about the message. While Keys likely meant well with both of her comments, it’s clear the internet can be a tough critic.  
TOPICS:  Alicia Keys
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