For the latest beauty edition of TW Magazine, the publication looked to 3 ladies to convey the message of diverse beauty and its innate connection to talent, inspiration and intelligence – Model/TV Personality Zainab Blaogun; Mavin member, Singer Di’Ja and Nollywood Actress Beverly Naya.
In their interview with the magazine the ladies, who were chosen for the issue for the spectrum of their complexions, share their successes and failures in life when it came to physical appearance, meeting beauty standards, the glass ceiling of beauty & success; and in the end show that beauty, after it all, is skin deep.
Read excerpts below;
Zainab Balogun
On her looks being judged and rejected during her modelling career
As a kid my biggest issues were my lips and my nose. I always felt like they were too big for my face, until I grew into them. When you’re with all these models and they all look perfect, it doesn’t do a lot for your self-esteem. I never had anyone around me to tell me “you’re beautiful” or “you look nice today“. I didn’t have that reassurance except from Alyssa (her niece’s mother).
As a kid my biggest issues were my lips and my nose. I always felt like they were too big for my face, until I grew into them. When you’re with all these models and they all look perfect, it doesn’t do a lot for your self-esteem. I never had anyone around me to tell me “you’re beautiful” or “you look nice today“. I didn’t have that reassurance except from Alyssa (her niece’s mother).
On her first encounter with the issue of complexion in Nigeria
…When I moved back a particular company had approached my colleague, Lamide Akintobi, and myself to host their red carpet. They were sponsoring one of our (Ebony Life TV) shows at the time so it made sense for them to use us. We were told that it was pretty much a done deal until the brand manager saw our pictures and said we weren’t “yellow enough”. He wanted Eku (Edewor) or Toke (Makinwa). I know now that this probably isn’t the first time that a conversation like this has happened. It’s just the first time (I’ve got to hear about it). This was a huge wake-up call for me.
…When I moved back a particular company had approached my colleague, Lamide Akintobi, and myself to host their red carpet. They were sponsoring one of our (Ebony Life TV) shows at the time so it made sense for them to use us. We were told that it was pretty much a done deal until the brand manager saw our pictures and said we weren’t “yellow enough”. He wanted Eku (Edewor) or Toke (Makinwa). I know now that this probably isn’t the first time that a conversation like this has happened. It’s just the first time (I’ve got to hear about it). This was a huge wake-up call for me.
On being put in the “black girl box” and the modelling industry’s misunderstanding of her skin tone
They never seemed to know where to place me. When they think “black African” they’re thinking of someone really dark, so when I’d show up they didn’t understand my look. I feel like that really affected my career. It was really hurtful.
They never seemed to know where to place me. When they think “black African” they’re thinking of someone really dark, so when I’d show up they didn’t understand my look. I feel like that really affected my career. It was really hurtful.
On moving back home and not fitting in the “typical Nigerian beauty” category – “the light-skinned girl with a long weave”
I’ve had all types of hairstyles – wigs, braids, everything. A lot of people think I should get rid of my short haircut but I feel like a woman should be able to transform and do whatever she wants to do with her hair. If I’m happy, that’s what I’m going to do. And I think that’s what drives my confidence.
I’ve had all types of hairstyles – wigs, braids, everything. A lot of people think I should get rid of my short haircut but I feel like a woman should be able to transform and do whatever she wants to do with her hair. If I’m happy, that’s what I’m going to do. And I think that’s what drives my confidence.
On her beauty and if she thinks she’s beautiful
It’s so much easier for me to tell other people they look beautiful, I can dish it but I can’t take it. I think beauty is so much more than thinking you look pretty. It’s about people accepting you. So if you tell me I look pretty I’m more willing to accept it.
It’s so much easier for me to tell other people they look beautiful, I can dish it but I can’t take it. I think beauty is so much more than thinking you look pretty. It’s about people accepting you. So if you tell me I look pretty I’m more willing to accept it.
I’m still struggling to accept that (my beauty) but I do.
Beverly Naya
On growing up “the ugly duckling”
My parents always used to tell me and still tell me that I’m beautiful but I never believed them. As a child I was an ugly duckling. I had everything negative in terms of physical beauty. (Going on she speaks on being bullied in school for her braces and skin conditions) It really did affect my self esteem. I only started to blossom when I was 16 I woke up one morning and my skin was clear, I started to develop physically and get curves. I was finally able to remove my braces and my teeth were straight. it was amazing.
My parents always used to tell me and still tell me that I’m beautiful but I never believed them. As a child I was an ugly duckling. I had everything negative in terms of physical beauty. (Going on she speaks on being bullied in school for her braces and skin conditions) It really did affect my self esteem. I only started to blossom when I was 16 I woke up one morning and my skin was clear, I started to develop physically and get curves. I was finally able to remove my braces and my teeth were straight. it was amazing.
On being bullied for being pretty
I went through a period of being exceptionally vain! It was almost a curse, because my conceitedness caused me to get bullied again, but this time for being pretty. (I had to) change my priorities and change my mindset. I needed to figure out who I was (beyond my looks). (She changed her A-Level courses from Sociology, Philosophy and Psychology to Drama, Dance and Film making) That’s how I discovered acting. I just fell in love with it, it was the beginning of self-discovery for me.
I went through a period of being exceptionally vain! It was almost a curse, because my conceitedness caused me to get bullied again, but this time for being pretty. (I had to) change my priorities and change my mindset. I needed to figure out who I was (beyond my looks). (She changed her A-Level courses from Sociology, Philosophy and Psychology to Drama, Dance and Film making) That’s how I discovered acting. I just fell in love with it, it was the beginning of self-discovery for me.
On her definition of beauty and if she thins she’s beautiful
To me, beauty is the ability to walk into a room, and command presence. Not necessarily because you;re the most beautiful person but because you’re graceful and you know you are. Beauty is an energy that radiates from within.
To me, beauty is the ability to walk into a room, and command presence. Not necessarily because you;re the most beautiful person but because you’re graceful and you know you are. Beauty is an energy that radiates from within.
(Speaking on her beauty) It’s weird, maybe I’m just saying this for the interview but I’m not really good at saying stuff like that. I’ve always been an ugly duckling and that ugly duckling can still be inside, but you have to fight it. You have to look in the mirror and tell yourself, I am worthy and I am beautiful, no matter what anyone else thinks. You have to genuinely believe that that’s who you are and that’s what you’re going to be.
On her 50 Shades of Black Campaign
The purpose of the campaign is to encourage unity. There are 54 shades of the black skin, that’s an actual fact. I want to encourage young girls to see all the different shades and appreciate the beauty in all of them.
The purpose of the campaign is to encourage unity. There are 54 shades of the black skin, that’s an actual fact. I want to encourage young girls to see all the different shades and appreciate the beauty in all of them.
I had a lot of self-esteem issues growing up but I’ve never been called ugly simply because I was dark-skinned. I’ve learned so many people have different self-esteem issues and it’s from both sides. Light-skinned girls feel like they’re not worthy. People have made them feel like they only get opportunities because they’re light-skinned. If you are dark-skinned you have a complex because society tells you lighter is prettier. (My campaign) has never been about empowering dark-skinned girls. It’s been about empowering the entire race so we can all see each other as one. And it’s never been about bashing people who bleach either, I just hope that by doing it I can encourage people not to bleach.
Di’Ja
Her thoughts on the light-skinned Vs. dark-skinned debate
My mother is very dark and I’ve always thought she was beautiful. She was always going to get her hair done and she dressed very well. Even back then, I knew the whole dark skin, light skin thing was just mental slavery. I got that from my dad because he wasn’t scared to show us how wicked people were and how we (humans) have destroyed the world by hating each other.
My mother is very dark and I’ve always thought she was beautiful. She was always going to get her hair done and she dressed very well. Even back then, I knew the whole dark skin, light skin thing was just mental slavery. I got that from my dad because he wasn’t scared to show us how wicked people were and how we (humans) have destroyed the world by hating each other.
On getting success while light-skinned
(People always say) Because you’re light-skinned, it was very easy for you (to make it). But they don’t know how long I worked for this and what I’ve been through. I have been let down so many times.
(People always say) Because you’re light-skinned, it was very easy for you (to make it). But they don’t know how long I worked for this and what I’ve been through. I have been let down so many times.
People expect me to speak with an accent or think that I’ve never worked hard simply because I’m light-skinned. I think it’s the stupidest thing ever and it has a lot to do with our education. We need to start changing these things from school. Back in school my teachers would say “Oh you think because you’re ‘oyinbo’ we won’t flog you?” and most times I was even punished harder for it! It’s just ignorance.
On her beauty
(Personally I wouldn’t consider myself as beautiful but I don’t think I’m society’s definition of what ugly is either. I used to have really bad skin, and I cured it with Shea butter, lime and water.
(Personally I wouldn’t consider myself as beautiful but I don’t think I’m society’s definition of what ugly is either. I used to have really bad skin, and I cured it with Shea butter, lime and water.
I don’t really wear makeup. I stopped relaxing my hair about 4 years ago but that doesn’t mean I’m better than you because I have natural hair. I love wigs and weaves, you just need to know how to use these things. You shouldn’t feel bad if you don’t have them or make them the social norm. I want young girls to know that I’m not perfect, don’t look at my Instagram page when I’m all glamorous, and think that’s what I look like all the time, because I don’t!
Read more on their stories in the latest issue of TW Magazine – available at a stand near you!
Photo Credit: TW Magazine/BellaNaija
