Raye stripped down to her underwear to make a strong statement about body dysmorphia.
The 25-year-old singer was on stage at the Royal Albert Hall for a live album recording on Tuesday when she began stripping during a performance of her hit “Body Dysmorphia.”
She has spoken openly about her struggle with mental illness that leaves you extremely worried about your appearance, with her heartfelt lyrics including lines like “I’m so hungry, I can’t sleep / But I know if I’m eating / Then, ‘I’ll be on my knees in the bathroom.’
In front of a cheering crowd, Raye took off her corset and pants, stripped down to a white bra and panties, and held herself tight as she recited the emotional lyrics.
She remained in her underwear to perform her next song, Ice Cream Man, about sexual assault, telling the audience: “I’m taking my clothes off at the Royal Albert Hall!”
Powerful: Raye stripped down to her underwear during Tuesday’s show at the Royal Albert Hall to make a powerful statement on body dysmorphia
Taking off her clothes: The 25-year-old singer was on stage for a live album recording when she started taking off her clothes during a performance of her hit “Body Dysmorphia.”
In an Instagram post after the show, Raye described her experience: “The show of my ENTIRE CAREER, I can’t handle it. I’m losing my mind thinking about this show and yes, I’m posting the reviews because we got fucking five stars across the board.
“Headlining the sold-out Royal Albert Hall, accompanied by @heritageorchestra and the wonderful talents of youth choir @flamescollective_, conducted and arranged by the monster genius @wakeuptom.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS MY REAL LIFE STEEEEE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS of hustle and monstrous dreams, my city has seen me as the artist I truly want to be and will continue to be.”
“Thank you to Pete @moombaproduktions who spent 10 years of your life pouring your heart into my project through thick and thin when I didn’t even have money to pay you what you deserved @jonny_famous for making my shows sound ridiculous crowd, my insanely beautiful tour, my family, my goodness, I will never, ever forget that night as long as I live [sic].’
Raye previously opened up about her battle with body dysmorphia after being asked on Capital FM: “What do you see when you look in the mirror?”
She explained: “I don’t know.” It’s a very 50/50 experience. Maybe a lot of people can understand that. Sometimes you look in the mirror and think “that’s beautiful” or “that’s good,” and sometimes it feels like the opposite.
“But that’s okay, it’s just a part of life and I think it’s something I’m working hard on.”
“I don’t think it’s a good thing to spend too much time in the mirror, otherwise you just start pointing out all the flaws.” “I just use music as therapy to process things.”
Success story: Raye’s album My 21st Century Blues is Raye’s first project after leaving Polydor Records in 2021
Raye’s album My 21st Century Blues is Raye’s first project following her departure from Polydor Records in 2021.
The singer addresses drug abuse, assault, sexual violence and fear in her lyrics and previously explained why she didn’t want to shy away from “difficult” topics.
She told Web: ‘I just want to be a woman who discusses uncomfortable topics that we don’t talk about. These are all things I’ve struggled with in the dark and in the silence.”
“When you write about these songs and put them out into the world, you just hope that people hear them and relate to them too.”
“It’s a medicine in a way that makes you feel different than if you put quite a painful emotion into the whole thing.”
“For me it’s just very empowering and I hope it can be medicine for everyone else who needs it.”
While the process of writing the songs was cathartic, it also led to open and frank conversations with her loved ones – some of whom had no idea she had battled past demons.
They were songs that Raye had been working on for years but was unable to do while she was embroiled in a dispute with her old label, Polydor, which she says “controlled and manipulated” her.
By 2021, outsiders saw Raye – who first rose to fame with her appearance on Jonas Blue’s 2016 single “By Your Side” – successful, having seven Top 20 hits to her name and songwriting credits for Beyoncé, John Legend and Charli XCX had.
But she felt trapped in a four-album record deal without an album to her name.
She informed the world of her situation in a strongly worded tweet when she “reached the breaking point” and was able to leave her label last year.
If you need help and support with eating disorders, contact Beat at beateatingdisorders.org.uk
What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) or body dysmorphia is a mental illness in which a person spends a lot of time worrying about cosmetic flaws. These deficiencies often go unnoticed by others.
BDD can occur in people of all ages, but it is most common in teenagers and young adults. It affects both men and women.
Having BDD does not mean you are vain or selfish. It can be very disturbing and have a big impact on your life.
Symptoms of BDD
You may have BDD if you:
- Be very worried about a specific area of your body (especially your face).
- Spend a lot of time comparing your appearance to other people’s
- Look at yourself in the mirror often or avoid mirrors altogether
- Put a lot of effort into concealing flaws – for example by combing your hair long, putting on make-up or choosing clothes
- pick at your skin to make it “smooth.”
BDD can seriously affect your daily life, including your work, social life, and relationships. BDD can also lead to depression, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.
You should see your GP if you think you may have BDD.
If you have relatively mild BDD symptoms, you should be referred to a type of talking therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which you will do either alone or in a group
If you have moderate BDD symptoms, you should be offered either CBT or an antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
If you experience more severe BDD symptoms or other treatments don’t work, you should be offered CBT along with an SSRI.
Source: NHS