If people don’t by Estelle’s music I don’t think it has anything to do with her not “looking like” or “being like” Beyonce or any other “average” singer. They don’t make the same type of music so naturally there’s going to be a difference in fans. One is going to appeal to more people than the other. But you know it’s okay to like both artists…I’m a fan of both artists…nothing to do with how either of them look. Granted there are people that like things because they have a pretty package but that issues goes way farther than music.

#36 PRETTY MUCH SUMS IT UP!!!

That business is very wicked…but face it, IMAGE is everything and if u dont “look the par..then you aren’t going to sell…( in their eyes)

But a lil change is good.. Its not like they are asking her to go BLEACH her whole body…just a few minor updates!! I dont think that’s bad!

I will be honest and say that I don’t watch tv or listen to the radio to hear new songs. The only reason I know of Estelle is because I am a avid Concrete reader. I still haven’t heard her music but I haven’t had much desire to look into it because she hasn’t grabbed my attention my her appearance. She is a beautiful girl but she just looks like the girl next door with the way she dresses and wears her hair…it doesn’t say STAR to me. It isn’t because her hair is short (Rihanna has short hair) she simply doesn’t stand out. I never really knew who she was when I would see her on the Loop. Her look say’s “Girl behind the scenes ie publicist, hair stylist etc. Unfortunately, this business is nasty and you have to decide if you are going to be true to yourself or make the suggested changes that you feel take away from your character. Some folks change it up some folks keep it original ie India.Aire, Jill Scott, Eryka Badu and make it…the choice is up to you. However, I will say that she looks real bland to me. I dont’ see personaility in her look at all.

dear CHOKALITFACTOY :

–rihanan cant sing ….fist off ..i can do that in my sleep .

umm Estelle , i think her look is FAB. she is true to herself // she shouldnt have to change her image to look like other ppl. and theres nothing really wrong w/. her teeth. this is a effed up situation ..just to show u how the world has gotten today …think of back in the day [when all music was REAL] artists’ image wasnt all that great. yes some were pretty and slim, but some were fat and chubby. and thats what i liked. In reality thats how the world is ..not everyone looks the same. so thats how the industry should display people . keep it funky ..not everyone wakes up in the morning w/ shimmered eyes and glossy lips…every1 should stay tru to themselves

Love her style voice everything…the teeth are a distraction but if she doesn’t want them fixed oh well

her hair looks nice but she should get her teef fixed.
Her music isn’t all that, if Ms Dynamite was not sucessfull in the US I don’t see how she will be

I dont see anything wrong with her hair but those teeth. DAMN!!! She needs to get that fixed

Let this be a lesson to all the kids who think these artists are so DIFFERENT. They (some) are just puppets that the CEOs mold and model to shape your feeble minds. Its just like a pimp and hoe situation… they pimp out the artists and exploit our brains while getting our money. That’s exactly why I don’t buy my music lol… well some times I do but its not often! haha

#29 - “the industry likes beautiful ppl so if she wants 2 get somewhere she needs 2 make sacrifices”

Funny, she is on my TV right now, (American Boy featuring Kanye video) Love the Hair tweak the teeth a little bit, you will be better for it and your beautiful broad smile will be sweeter.she is beautiful and has style

Wow….that’s really messed up….record labels/execs. will do nothing but try to change someone!!!! SMH….

What we really need to know from the CL Staffers is what Record Executive the fans need to contact at Atlantic Records to let them know we support Estelle just as she is. With the amount of hits this website gets everyday, and unending comments that folks post up we have enough power to tell the Record Execs what we want…not just accept what they give us. Let be proactive folks….CL get on your grind and find out who’s email inbox we need to flood.

lmao @ NOVA
bout big up N17 & john loughborough. what u know bout my endz N17!! >>

“The doctor I interned with told me that lack of proper dental care is tied to heart disease, “

The only concern the Labels should have about her is her music. And from what I’ve heard so far, they should not be disappointed with her talent. She is Musician not a Beauty contestant.
This sends a bad message to our youth. We usually encourage them to do their best in school and tell them they can become successful in life if they work hard enough.
Now we have to tell them that they have to look a certain way to become successful because looks matter more than anything else. SMDH.

If the girl is comfortable with her image then that’s all that matters.
Estelle wouldn’t give a fuck what nobody said about her no way.
It’s okay to be different, EVERYBODY doesn’t have to fit a certain image.

cmon yall, its not cute to look at someone with jacked teeth. she should get her teeth done. Jewel should too. its not cute. it is distracting. As soon as chris rock had money he got his teef done. So did 50 cent. It does a world of good. You cant even clean them properly when they look like that.
Spend the money, endure the pain and fix your fricken teeth.
Idris Elba wouldnt look 1/2 as cute if his teeth werent straight and shinin. And he is british. (who are notorious for having bad teeth)- somehow he made it. or made the right choice for aesthics and for his career.

To be honest this is how the industry is today. I mean yes Missy done well but she came out a good 12 yrs ago and as the years go on the generations get even more shallower. Changing your image comes with the territory. If Estelle does not want to accept that then oh…well. Further more its not like a major change its just straightening up some teeth and a hairstyle. I don’t see how straightening up teeth is going to hurt anyone (well except the person undergoing the procedure) - and i didn’t even notice her teeth. Oh and hair, people change it all the time its just hair! She can change that back once she is big in the game, but we should know by now that no one tends to have complete control over themselves when they first come out as an artist (even if their a faux artist), because the record label wants to see some money made. Then once your generating profit for them they tend to losen up on you.

And im from the UK - but i don’t have an “allegiance” per se, just an opinion…

#10 I get what your saying but look at J holiday. He is fine as all get out, talented, has jacked up bottom teeth, yet he lives in AMERICA…..

The record industry only cares about MONEY and image. They know artists are their meal tickets and they will continue to bring good artists down.

I like Estelle and if she sees no problem with her look, then she shouldn’t change. The minute she changes her look to satisfy those money hungry record execs, they will find something else she needs to change. It’s her choice to do so and it should only be her choice.

#17 you said it all right there. Its about the artist not what they look like

See, I’m not the only one who thinks that she is not so pretty, and she still might not sell here in the U.S.

What the hell are you guys talking about???? Her teeth are fine!!!! What is wrong with them???? Cuz they are probably better than what yours (the haters) will ever be! She doesn’t need to change herself the american record execs do, they make me so sick sometimes with their infatuation for physical perfection! LEAVE HER ALONE! ESTELLE JUST DO YOU! F**K THE HATERS!

That’s necessary. Who complains about someone wanting to pay you to look better?
She should jump at the change to fix them fangs.
It ain’t her fault she has ‘em; but it’s her fault if she refuses to fix ‘em.

SHE REALLY NEEDS TO GET HER TEETH FIXED. THEY ARE SO DISTRACTING. ITS ALL I COULD LOOK AT WHEN I SAW HER VIDEO. I MEAN C’MON, THIS IS NO TWISTED TOOTH LIKE FABULOUS OR NAS, THIS IS A WHOLE GANG OF NONSENSE IN HER MOUTH. I LIKE HER STEELO THOUGH…HER HAIR IS TIGHT.

In record company language what they are telling her is that she is not half white with green eyes and long silky hair. She has that black girl India Arie look. The British record company ain’t much better when it comes to black gals either. They only promote the mixed exotic Sade looking singers. It’s a shame that black gals can’t get no love on any parts of this earth. If she were mixed she would definitely have a deal, jacked up grill or not.

Regardless of how she looks, she is still very talented. Look at Rihanna, we all know she can’t really sing, but she’s very beautiful and that’s why she is soo big right now. One’s image is everything in the music industry. The more beautiful you look, the more records you will selll, which is really unfortunate. However, I do have to admit that Estelle’s teeth is a bit messed up, and with all that money she is making, I don’t understand why she wouldn’t want to have that fixed. I guess she doesn’t want to change for nobdoy and stay true to herself, which is absolutely understandable. Do you, Estelle!

Nelly

LMAO! Now, talk about a concert or music review. I hear you bo!!! LOL!

They should pay you to do reviews, lol!

Also, people aren’t jealous of America. People come here to “make money” and especially from ignorant African-American, who just happen to be the biggest spender of money. The first thing they tell immigrants when they come here who wants business is go and set up shop in the ghettos, hoods, etc,. because those people “us” like to spend money. We don’t believe in unity, and helping each other. We believe in wearing fancy clothes, the most expensive clothings, and drinking and partying. So, if you want to get rich; go to the hood.

A lot of people too only come here to make money and build their own places some of us can’t even imagine in their country of origin. So, please don’t think people are that jealous of us.

wow! there is nothing wrong with the way estelle looks! r u kidding me??!! she is naturally beautiful. why must these record exec’s try to make every artist look the same? we need different looks in the industry right now! estelle, keep doing your thing ma-ma! we love you!

In America, physical appearance is everything for women. Men can look like shit and still get over. The interesting thing about her teeth is that, the British have famously poor teeth. They don’t frequent the dentist. I don’t think asking her to get the teeth fixed is a bad thing. If you want to crossover sister, pay attention.

The next step they’ll be wanting her to bleach her skin like Rihanna Chris Brown and all them…they’re trying to make her INTERNATIONAL!!! That complexion has got to go!

everyone has that hairstyle, so i dont see what the problem is with that but she could see a dentist

lol americans are SSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOO picky when it comes 2 appearance!!! I’m glad its not like that here in England where people are actually more appreciated for their TALENT *shock horror* than the way they look!!!!

AM REPPIN ESTELLE ALL THE WAY… SHE IS A PRETTY GIRL..BUT IN THIS INDUSTRIE U ALWAYZ AVE TO CHANGE SOMETHING 2 CATCH PEOPLES ATTENTION.. BUT I KNOW ESTELLE IS TRU 2 HER SELF.

@181 Id understand if you said Lil’Kim,Trina, or even Micheal as far as the bleached skin. Rhianna and Chris Brown are obviously naturally light skin. It has nothing to do with her complexion…she just can stand to be upgraded a few notches….THATS ALL!

@181 Id understand if you said Lil’Kim,Trina, or even Micheal as far as the bleached skin. Rhianna and Chris Brown are obviously naturally light skin. It has nothing to do with her complexion…she just can stand to be upgraded a few notches….THATS ALL!

Well people in England must like the way she looks since her album is doing so well! Or mabye they actually care about talent…
IMO she looks just fine her current look works for her

Uh…. you guys know that half of you had (or would have had) braces or invisalign (if you could afford it)..
just Do it…

Someone needs to suggest Invisalign to J. Holiday too..

[...] hair and distinctive fashion. Compare that to today, when reportedly, super fly British import Estelle is being pressured to change her look to conform to the expected American ten-pounds-of-weave-and-a-scandalous-outfit standard. That [...]

I wonder if you people (who agree with the record label about Estelle changing her looks) would tell your own children that they’re f*cked up in the face if it were to be “imperfect”.This industry strayed from measuring success with talent rather than looks.Madonna has gapped front teeth,Beyonce’s perm never look laid at the root(we know her hair is thick),Timbaland’s sausage neck,Ciara’s above average female height,50 Cent (period),Jay-Z’s nose,Akon’s…(just Akon),Britney’s sloped eyes,Queen Latifah’s size,Missy’steeth,Tupac’s overbite (his teeth were big too…and LONG) and Biggie was “black and ugly as ever,However..”.To a degree,I understand but I feel those decisions should be left up to her,not her company.Did Coco (from SWV) get her braces because of her label?Nope.Why should she?By the way,Tracy Chapman is another type of performer and I’m sure if she was to drop another album,it’ll be successful (besides,she’s a very talented singer/songwriter).Do we really need ‘these people’(I’m sure they’re either white or brainwashed) determine gauges of black beauty?If so ,we’re all screwed (I’m keeping my dreads) Take a look BLACK AMERICA….YOU”RE ABOUT TO BE FORCED TO TRANSFORM TOO.Keep it real.Sista Estelle,wipe your ass with their “suggestions”,Talent is forever.

I AM ONE OF ESTELLS HAIR STYLIST WHEN SHE IS IN NYC AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE RECORD LABEL EXECUTIVES. AND NONE OF THATS IMPORTANT BECAUSE SHE IS A GROWN WOMAN WHO WILL DO IT HER WAY OR NOT AT ALL. ESTELLE IS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT. AND FOR ALL OF YOU ORTHODONTIC CARE STUDENTS WHO ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT HER TEETH, SHE NOW HAS BRACES, SO CHEW ON THAT!

I saw Estelle live last Friday & did not know about this controversy until yesterday. I must say that I am disappointed with the choice she has to make.

Although I find relaxed hair in general not desirable, I thought her style was good & worked for her.

In regards to her oral situation, she currently has braces or something like that so maybe she is seeing a benefit. Regardless to how her teeth look, the woman can throw down & that is most important to me.

It’s sad to see how female artists with darker complexions are treated.

I took photos at her Detroit show & she looks damn good to me!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bygbaby/2410168201/
Bygbaby

191 & 192

COMPLETE COSIGN

It would be too easy and way too wrong to judge all americans and british people who come here and offer their crazy perception of beauty. It is only the jaded idiotic brainwashed tabloid believeing immature wannabes who hang on to every thing thought criticism and word. Those groupies and fashion followers who wear everything the “stars” wear to gain street cred and popularity that come on here and tear down their own people and compare everyone from an unrealistic stand point of perfect which they are far from is ridiculous. Like I have said, only when you get bullied for not fitting in, outcasted because you are too dark, picked on because you are “different” and go through rehab, anorexia, bulima or depression then you run to rehab and Oprah and self help gurus telling you that first we build you up then we bring you down “simply because we can”

How come the majority of people on here were not like “Fuk the industry we like her music and her as an artist” so don’t ever change ESTELLE, if John Legend and Kanye who are great artists believed in a fellow artists fuk these pitiful hopefulls on here who will never taste success…but some of them yearn for it with a passion.

You people make me sick to the point I feel rage when you critic a beautidful (inside and out) artist because she deviates ffrom the norm.

Estelle’s album is bananas. Easily the best album this year. It’s like a combination of Floetry and Lauren Hill. America is going to love it regardless of how she looks.

You guys are saying dont do it but let one picture hit CL and you vultures will be all over her for her jacked up teeth and hairstyle…so quit already! The folks at the American record label know how ruthless you folks can be.

[...] reports, Estelle, UK native rapper/singer, was told by her Atlantic Records, her U.S. label, to get her hair redid and her teeth fixed. Okay: so if this is true, like Ricky Smiley always asks, “Who in da hell left the gate [...]

People please wake up. Differences make life interesting. Who wants everyone to look a cetain way. Dare to think for yourself and just be yourself.

I like the style Estelle is rocking, so unique and her voice is off the richter scale, stay true to you. Yolanda Adams (gospel singer) teeth was the same way, she eventually had them fixed but that came way way way down the line, she had already established herself in the industry. Stay true to you atleast she’s real unlike Lola Luv, jeesh people are never satisified, they would rather a black woman dumb herself down and look fake and whack rather than be true to herself.

SHE NEEDS TO GET HER TEEH FIXED DESPERATELY THOUGH!!! THAT BOTTOM ROW IS CRAZY!!!

I MEANT TEETH LOL

Truth be told, your image does play a big part of selling records, but as soon as she change something, oh she fake–well lets keep it real. Realness attracts real people.So people who want buy are not real, because real people don’t all have pearly white straight teeth, and long flowing hair. Girl you are a
Diva and a beatiful sister, let your work speak for you.