Tag: body positivity

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This Furry Ginger Drops The Beat And The (Body) Shame

L-R Melody Betts, Kyle Motsinger (screen capture from ‘No Shame’)
NYC-based indie singer/songwriter Kyle Motsinger releases the music video to his newest single, “No Shame.” The new single, which has a positive message of self-love, is available now on iTunes, so check out this exclusive peek at the colorful music video and song today. It’s worth noting in 2017, Attitude Magazine conducted a body survey that revealed 84% of people said they felt under “intense pressure” to have a so-called “good body.” Motsinger opens the song with just a few of the self-doubts (hair, body image, body hair) many people, especially in the LGBTQ community, might experience in terms of judging ourselves (and others!) on a daily basis. But then, this furry ginger drops the beat and the shame:

My body is beautiful (Tell myself every day) My body is beautiful (No matter what critics say) My body is beautiful (No one can take that away) My body is beautiful (Can’t tell me that I don’t slay)

Motsinger teams up with singer/actor Melody Betts for the upbeat, disco-tastic track. Audiences will recognize Betts from the acclaimed Jesus Christ Superstar Live! on NBC, and the Broadway production of Sara Bareilles’s Waitress. The video also co-stars Mark Oleszko/Lyra Vega, & Larry Darnell Penn Whitfield. On top of being a banging pop bop, the message of the song takes stares down negative feelings of self-image in high style.

I recently chatted with the furry ginger about the new track and why messaging about body positivity seems to be improving in the LGBTQ community.

The Randy Report: What was the inspiration behind writing the song? Kyle Motsinger: “No Shame” was a response to some criticism I was getting from my conservative family about performances I was doing in NYC that were either more burlesque in nature or featured outfits that were revealing. I’ve gotten to a point where I sometimes feel pretty confident about my body. I say sometimes because there are always days where I maybe don’t feel as fearless as I’d like to be. I wrote this song because I think bodies are beautiful and I don’t think it’s indecent to tastefully show them off. Of course, I probably have a different definition of “tasteful” than some. TRR: You really embrace a groovy disco vibe (which I love). Is that just your innate musical style or is it about meshing a certain message to music?  KM: I’m glad you love it! I love dipping my toe into different musical styles for different songs. For me, the story of the song dictates the feel of it. Disco felt right for an anthem about loving your body. My second album is full of an eclectic mix of musical styles. I sum that up in the title song. My music sounds “Any Way I Want It To.” It’s a little sassy and I love that.

L-R Larry Darnell Penn Whitfield, Melody Betts, Mark Oleszko/Lyra Vega (screen capture)
TRR: Social messaging to combat body shaming seems to have become more mainstream. Do you think so? Or no? KM: I think it has and I’m really glad! There’s always been an image of what you’re supposed to strive for. Diversity has never been very prevalent in terms of body image. I see it changing though. Even in the gay community, I’m seeing more love for bears, trans people, and people of color. We still have work to do though. It was important to me that the music video for “No Shame” showed racial and body diversity. The world is more diverse than media would lead you to believe. It is getting better though.

Kyle Motsinger dropped his debut album, “Far Away,” in 2017 and hasn’t looked back releasing several stand-alone singles including “Dark Shadows.” The indie artist has performed all over NYC in venues like the Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, the Duplex, Don’t Tell Mama, and the Folsom Street East Festival. You can find “No Shame” and all of Motsinger’s previous releases on iTunes here. Follow the proud, furry ginger on social media: facebook.com/officialkylemotsinger twitter.com/KyleMotsinger instagram.com/kylemotsinger www.kylemotsinger.com

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After Years Of Hiding Their Body Sam Smith Is Living In The Light

Sam Smith is living in the light (image via Instagram)
It’s a new year and while lots of folks are heading to the gym to fulfill a ‘get in shape’ resolution, Grammy Award winner Sam Smith is taking just a minute to appreciate being exactly who they are. Smith recently posted a shirtless pic to their Instagram writing, “Feels so good to have my top off on holiday.” “Spent all my life hiding my body from the sun,” they continued. “The last year my skin has been soaking in that LIGHT.” Smith closed the post with a bit of self-love advice: “Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from feeling that kiss from above you beautiful humans.”

With over 1.1 million Likes, it seems Smith’s fans agree, including newly-minted Golden Globe winner Taron Egerton who commented, “You look gorgeous. X” The 27-year-old has had a big year on the issue of self-acceptance having come out as genderqueer and non-binary in 2019. Speaking to body positivity activist Jameela Jamil on the Instagram show I Weigh Interviews last March, Smith shared that their body image issues were “the basis of all my sadness.” They also revealed they had liposuction at the age of 12. “At the time, I think I was very happy about it,” said Smith. “It didn’t really change anything. I think I put the weight back on in two weeks because I haven’t figured out my relationship with food, so it didn’t really change anything. But being 12 years old and having liposuction on your chest is quite a big deal.”

The ‘Stay With Me’ singer is clearly feeling more comfortable about their body and spreading the message of body positivity with more shirtless photos on Instagram.

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2020 MOOD

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🌊 The Pacific Ocean is fucking cold

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🌊

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After massive successes with “Dancing with a Stranger” and “How Do You Sleep,” Smith capped off 2019 with a cover of the iconic Donna Summer track, “I Feel Love.” It would appear that’s an honest assessment of Smith’s current situation. Good on them.