Beautifully Human: Jill Scott in Essence

R&B Soul singer Jill Scott is on the cover of this month's Essence talking about her music, personal struggles and the pressure to lose weight within the music industry.

Once I started looking for a record deal, I had a trainer. And the trainer told me that I would never sell a record if I didn’t lose weight.

Personally, I sincerely hope she told that trainer off but the very fact that anyone would even say that gives insight into how body conscious the entertainment world is. As intense as the beauty standards for fashion are its easy to sometimes forget that fashion isn't the only industry wherein this pressure exists. The music world enforces its own rules and standards for its female performers. Lately it seems as though the most important thing a singer can do is look "good". With the seemingly endless stream of disposable popstars and drum machine heavy songs more reliant on audio editing programs ProTools than singing talent looks play an increasingly important part in the marketing of music. Reading through the Jill Scott piece I couldn't help but think of this editorial from a few months ago on the importance of sexiness as a marketing tool.

She was an "amazing talent," a young singer with a wonderful voice who wrote beautiful songs. But she was no beauty, plus flat-chested and overweight to boot.

Remembering the aspiring star, music executive Jody Gerson still feels terrible about thinking: "She's never going to get signed, even though she's fabulous."

Its a shame to think just how low actual talent ranks in the scheme of things. How do you feel about stars being asked or told to lose weight in order to secure record deals? I think we can all agree that it is a reprehensible practice but how prevalent do you think it is / can a star succeed if they don't fit the typical cookie cutter?

Back to fashion, I think Jill looks amazing in her red velvet Igigi dress! Absolutely gorgeous - she seems positively regal especially posing on that chaise.