Kehlani is redefining their own definition of beauty. In an interview with Byrdie, the singer and songwriter opened up about the importance of self-reflection and their decision to remove their breasts implants. “I went through a rebirth,” they said of a spiritual ritual that they chose to focus on from September 2020 to September 2021. Sobriety, covering their hair and focusing on new rules to live and speak by were all part of the process. “It’s a 180 from who I was before,” Kehlani told Byrdie.
They shared what led to them wanting implants initially, saying, “I got breast implants about four years ago because I was very much struggling with what beauty meant to me.” The singer expressed the pressure they felt to look hyper polished when they first broke into the music industry. “I remember this video of me performing went viral. People were like ‘she’s horribly built.’ So I went and got breast implants.”
In the years that followed, Kehlani suffered from medical complications, such as chronic fatigue, brain fog and joint pain, tied to their breast implants.
“My doctor said, ‘I think you have breast implant illness.’” Breast implant illness is an autoimmune condition tied to some people who have had breast augmentation using silicone implants. Not only did Kehlani experience such symptoms but they also did not feel at ease with their new body. “I was already feeling dysphoric about my breast implants because I’m such a ‘tomboy.’ Like, how do I even put these in outfits?,” they shared.
Kehlani decided to get the implants removed, although they are a staunch supporter of people having agency over their own bodies. “I actually feel way more beautiful than I ever felt because I feel healthy,” they said. “I really don’t take my natural body for granted anymore.” Kehlani added: “I got things done that went away because my body type was not meant to be changed in the way I thought I could change it.”
The singer also shared that they regret making decisions about their body based on other people’s opinions. “I always felt like I was looking for ‘beauty,’ never that I was sitting in it,’ Kehlani says. “I feel the most sexy and beautiful when I’m the most stripped down and comfortable. To me, sexiness is clean hair, good candles, and applying oil after a shower. It’s all about taking care of myself, more so than the sexiest outfit. That’s when I feel good.
The singer is currently prepping a new album, ‘Blue Water Road,’ that’s due out this winter.