Industry person "Anna-Christina, your image isn't appealing."
AC "But I look exactly how I want to look!"
Over the years, I have had some very tough times in Lilygun. You only need to scan over our History page to see that Lilygun has been a band with countless line-up changes and dilemmas! One of the things I have been criticised about is the way I look!
People have always had an opinion on me and quite frankly, I don't give a damn what people think about the way I look!
I have never been on stage without my hair in plaits or dreadlocks because that is the way I wish to do my hair. I have a certain style of my own. I love the fact that I don't look like any other singer and since people in the music industry are always saying they are looking for something different, I would have thought it would have been appreciated that I look different! Instead, the feedback I got was, "we don't know how to sell you"!
Rock'n'Roll is about self expression and artistry as much as the music. My image mirrors my music, difficult to define. I was told my image wasn't appealing and it's a bloody good job I didn't listen! Ironically, today, it's my image that has drawn followers towards Lilygun, and I've done a pretty great job of "selling" it myself!
There's nothing more powerful than being your authentic self. That's how you connect with people. Maybe in some way, you can inspire people and encourage them to shine the way they are, instead of trying to fit in with other people's expectations and opinions!
I'm so grateful I found a makeup artist who understood this about me. Shelly d'Inferno was so great to work with on the Inside music video. She knew exactly what to do and created a look which was perfect for this video.
Here's a little clip of her in action (with Mr Adie Hardy)...
People will always have opinions on the way you look. But really, the only opinion that truly matters about how you look, is your own. Create your own unique identity and enjoy it. The world would be a very boring place if we all looked the same!
Part Four coming your way soon...
~ACx
