Singer Jorja Smith has opened up about the impact of online comments on her body image. Smith, known for her soulful voice and powerful lyrics, has faced criticism about her weight gain. This isn’t something she takes lightly, and in her own words, “That’s not me being jaded, but I’ve definitely been affected by it.” Let’s delve into how these comments have impacted the talented artist.
WHO IS JORJA SMITH?
Jorja Alice Smith is a critically acclaimed English singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Walsall, West Midlands, her musical journey began at a young age. By the age of 11, she was already writing songs. A chance encounter with the music industry came in 2012 when a friend uploaded her cover of Labrinth’s “Earthquake” to YouTube. This caught the attention of record producer Guy Moot, who recognized her talent.
Smith’s career quickly gained momentum. Her first singles garnered wider recognition, leading to a signing with Sony/ATV in early 2016. Throughout 2016 and 2017, she released two EPs, showcasing her songwriting skills. In 2018, her debut studio album, Lost & Found, was met with critical acclaim, peaking at number three on the UK Albums Chart. That same year, she won the prestigious Brit Critics’ Choice Award. Her talent continued to be recognized in 2019 with a Brit Award for Best British Female Artist and a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. In 2021, she released her third EP, Be Right Back, which again received positive reviews.
However, her success hasn’t been without its challenges. Beyond her music, Jorja Smith has also found herself in the spotlight for her appearance, particularly regarding rumors about her weight gain.
IS JORJA SMITH PREGNANT?
Rumors have been swirling about Jorja Smith’s possible pregnancy following her recent concert with Burna Boy. Fans noticed a bump in performance videos circulating on social media, sparking speculation. Adding fuel to the fire, Jorja posted photos on Instagram before the show wearing the same dress. In some pictures, she’s seen holding her stomach, which appears slightly rounder compared to older images. Despite the growing online chatter, Jorja herself has remained silent on the matter.
DID JORJA SMITH REALLY GAIN WEIGHT?
Jorja Smith’s sophomore album, Falling or Flying, debuted to rave reviews in late September. Critics at Pitchfork and NME praised it as “sumptuous” and “mesmerising.” However, despite the critical acclaim, her triumphant return was marred by a disappointing turn of events. Instead of focusing on her powerful music, the conversation surrounding her live performances shifted towards her physical appearance.
Jorja Smith was interviewed for the cover of PORTER which was just released and there she says: “People comment on me a lot. They comment on what I look like. I don’t search for things, but if I’m on TikTok, I’ll see comments, and they won’t be all negative but… [for example], I’ve put on some weight, which is normal because I’m not a child. Like, it’s cool. But the world doesn’t let you be cool,” she explains. “That’s not me being jaded, but I’ve definitely been affected by it,” she says.
Jorja has since hopped on the Instagram comments to clarify: “I didn’t move to escape trolls & 2 I’m 21 in one pic and 26 in the other. I never was very healthy before either & have to grow in front of u all, what a strange world we live in”.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Jorja has faced online negativity about her weight. In addition to the recent controversy, videos emerged of her powerful performance in Paris, where she commanded a sold-out arena of 40,000 alongside Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy.
“[Wait] a minute is my girl jorja expecting???…” says one user on one of the viral clips of the performance on Instagram. Another user responded with “No, she’s just eating [too] much”. Amongst this rudely presumptuous comment, there were a slew of the comments like: “Nah she just fat” and the comments sections on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok posts are inundated with a copious amount of derogatory and hurtful statements around Jorja Smith’s weight and body shape.
The situation reached a boiling point with the release of Jorja’s “Little Things” remix video featuring Nia Archives. The focus shifted from pregnancy rumors to a different kind of online harassment. Jorja’s name and the term “Jorja Smith gained weight” trended on Twitter. Instead of celebrating the music, trolls bombarded social media with negativity, comparing her current figure to older photos and body-shaming her curves.
“I have put on some weight, but what people don’t know is that I’ve struggled with my weight since I was a kid in school,” Jorja told The Sunday Times. “I usually deal with stuff in silence, but it’s really getting to me now.
“Look, I’m not 18 any more. I haven’t got a plastic surgery body, so my tummy is not flat,” she added. “I can’t escape…[trolling] makes me not want to do photoshoots, not want to go anywhere.”
The constant scrutiny surrounding Jorja Smith’s appearance is pervasive. Whether it’s during a performance on Strictly Come Dancing, at her own concerts, or even TV interviews promoting her new album, it seems impossible for her to escape the public’s obsession with her looks. This relentless body-shaming could have a chilling effect: it might drive Jorja, or any woman in the spotlight, away from the industry altogether. Who would want to keep creating art under the constant barrage of negativity about their body?
“I just want them to listen to my music,” she said. “But I’ll probably have to deal with this throughout my whole life…I’m actually healthy and people want to have a go at me. I can’t win. I’m never gonna win, but I want people to know that these comments don’t bounce off me.”
JORJA SMITH WEIGHT
Jorja Smith’s weight is not publicly known as she has never disclosed it. No reliable sources report her weight either. It’s important to respect that weight is a personal matter, and individuals have the right to decide whether or not to share such information.
Moreover, weight is not an accurate measure of health. People can be healthy and fit at a variety of weights. Prioritizing overall health and well-being is more important than focusing solely on weight.
WHAT INFLUENCES JORJA SMITH’S MUSIC?
Jorja Smith grew up listening to a diverse range of music, including reggae, punk, hip-hop, and R&B, and wrote her first song at age 11. She was particularly inspired by Amy Winehouse’s raw songwriting style and the album “Frank.” Smith’s music often addresses social issues, as she believes musicians have the power to capture people’s attention. Her influences include Lauryn Hill, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Sade, Nina Simone, Alicia Keys, Mos Def, and the Streets. Additionally, she considers Rihanna a fashion icon.
JORJA SMITH CAREER
Jorja Smith’s career has been on a meteoric rise since the late 2010s. After her debut single “Blue Lights” gained traction online, she was co-signed by established artist Maverick Sabre. Recognition from Drake for her single “Where Did I Go?” further propelled her into the spotlight. This led to a publishing deal with Sony/ATV and the release of her debut EP, Project 11.
Smith’s talent continued to blossom with collaborations with Kali Uchis, Preditah, and Stormzy. She performed alongside big names like Bruno Mars and opened the BRIT Awards with Rag’n’Bone Man. In 2018, she became the first independent artist to win the prestigious Brit Critics’ Choice Award.
Her critically acclaimed debut album, Lost & Found, was released in 2018. She toured extensively in support of the album, including dates in Europe, North America, and festival appearances in Japan. Collaborations continued with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Burna Boy.
More recently, Jorja has hosted a BBC Radio show and released new music, including her 2021 EP Be Right Back and singles leading up to her upcoming album Falling or Flying.
JORJA SMITH AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
Jorja Smith has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career. In 2016, her song “Blue Lights” was nominated for Best Song at the MOBO Awards. The following year, she received multiple MOBO nominations, including Best Female, Best Newcomer, and Best R&B/Soul Act. She also earned a nomination for the International Viewers’ Choice Award at the BET Awards.
In 2018, Smith won the Critics’ Choice award at the Brit Awards and was nominated for the Q Breakthrough Act at the Q Awards. At the AIM Independent Music Awards, she won UK Breakthrough of the Year and was nominated for Most Played New Independent Act and Independent Album of the Year for “Lost & Found.” Her album was also shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. The music video for “Blue Lights” won Best Urban Video – UK at the UK Music Video Awards, and Smith was nominated for Best Push at the MTV Europe Music Awards and Best Album at the Urban Music Awards. She received nominations for Best New Artist and the Soul Train Certified Award at the Soul Train Music Awards.
In 2019, Smith was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards and Best Foreign New Act at the Sweden GAFFA Awards. At the Brit Awards, “Lost & Found” was nominated for British Album of the Year, while Smith won British Female Solo Artist and was nominated for British Breakthrough Act. Her song “Blue Lights” was nominated for Best Contemporary Song at the Ivor Novello Awards. She was named Most Played New Independent Artist at the AIM Independent Music Awards. The music video for “Be Honest” received nominations for Best Urban Video – UK and Best Production Design in a Video at the UK Music Video Awards. Additionally, she was nominated for Best Urban Video – UK for “By Any Means.”
In 2021, Smith’s music video “Home” won Best Music Video at the British Short Film Awards.
FAQ
1. Who has dated Jorja Smith?
Jorja Smith is currently believed to be single. She previously dated fellow singer-songwriter Joel Compass, with their relationship starting in September 2017.
2. How old was Jorja Smith when she got famous?
At 18, Jorja released her first extended play, the impressive four-track collection ‘Project 11,’ after gaining attention with her debut song ‘Blue Lights’ earlier that year.
3. How much is Jorja Smith net worth?
$7 million.
CONCLUSION
The constant barrage of comments about Jorja Smith’s weight is a troubling reminder of the unrealistic beauty standards women in the public eye face. This relentless body-shaming takes a toll, and it’s crucial to shift the focus to her artistry. Jorja Smith’s music deserves to be the center of conversation, not her appearance. Let’s celebrate her talent and empower artists to create without the burden of scrutiny on their bodies.
