Alicia Keys has been back in the spotlight recently after showing up to the 2016 VMA’s on August 28 in a bold black and red gown, her hair pulled back from her face, and…no makeup. Support for Keys is all over social media and magazines, with thousands being inspired by her #NoMakeup “revolution.”

However, not everyone feels the same way about the celebrity’s statement. Many people feel that Keys is shaming those who wear makeup by wearing no makeup. For many people, makeup is an outlet and is a way to express themselves. In a way, Alicia Keys is unintentionally putting pressure on women to now look a certain way. There’s also the fact that she has clear and flawless skin; one unknown Twitter critic even said, “No makeup works only if you’re Alicia Keys.”

Keys defended her decision to go sans makeup in her public essay that she published in May, in which she stated, “Every time I left the house, I would be worried if I didn’t put on makeup: What if someone wanted a picture?? What if they POSTED it??? These were the insecure, superficial, but honest thoughts I was thinking. And all of it, one way or another, was based too much on what other people thought of me.”

Her point was that she was sick about caring what other people thought. Keys was tired of trying to always be perfect for everyone else, and her choice was her way of making herself feel empowered and increase her self-esteem. As Madison Case, a sophomore here at BHS, said, “I like how she is confident in her own body without showing it off, but at the same time doesn’t bring people down.”

Whether you support Alicia Key’s choice or not, there is a problem here that is not being addressed. Why is it such a big deal for a celebrity not to wear makeup? The more the news hypes up how “brave” and “rare” these women are, the more it will seem like wearing makeup is the wrong or weak thing to do. Instead of making it a big deal, we as a society should not shame whatever choice a person makes.