Latto, the dynamic rapper known for her unapologetic bravado and Southern twang, has been candid about her experiences with body image, plastic surgery, and the journey toward self-acceptance. Her story offers a compelling look into the pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry and the importance of prioritizing inner peace over external validation.
Early Career and Body Image
Latto's career took off when she signed her first deal at the age of 21. This new chapter brought significant lifestyle changes, including indulging in her favorite foods. "I gained a little weight, 'cause I signed my deal when I was 21, when I had just turned 21. And I was just having money and living a whole new life, eating out," she told fans, acknowledging her love for food. However, this weight gain led to harsh comments from people on the internet, impacting her self-esteem. "Everybody on the internet was calling me ‘bad-bodied’ and stuff, so I feel like that played a role. I started being a little insecure about my body," she revealed.
Plastic Surgery: BBL and Lipo
In 2020, Latto decided to undergo plastic surgery, including a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and 360 liposuction. "I got a BBL in 2020," she told Cosmopolitan. "I also got 360 lipo. That's on my stomach, back, sides, and whole torso." She has been open about these procedures, emphasizing the need for maintenance. "But then you've got to maintain it," she explained.
Despite her transparency, Latto has faced persistent scrutiny regarding her appearance. "Every time I post a gym picture, people be like, ‘Oh, she got a BBL.’ I’ve been so loud and clear about a BBL that I had four years ago,” she stated, addressing the public's obsession with her body. She also humorously noted, "When I was 21, [the BBL] that y’all convinced me I needed, by the way."
Maintaining Her Figure: Diet and Exercise
Latto understands that maintaining her figure requires dedication to diet and exercise. She hired a trainer to stay accountable and push herself harder. "If you look on my Instagram, you'll see I've always worked out-before and after the surgery. But I will leave early or not push myself as hard. Having a trainer holds you accountable," she explained.
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The Pressure to Conform
During a 2023 episode of her Apple Music show, 777, Latto discussed the relentless criticism she faced regarding her body image and surgery. "When I didn’t have my surgery, they’re like, ‘Oh, she shaped like her white side’ … And then when I got the surgery, it is, ‘Oh, she’s botched. Oh, it’s too heavy,’" she recounted. This constant judgment led her to a significant realization: "I’m telling you from someone who’s been there, done it, find peace within your natural state. Because you’re going to find a flaw and another flaw and another flaw."
Message of Self-Acceptance
Latto’s candid reflections offer a powerful reminder that true beauty lies in self-acceptance and inner peace. In a world where societal beauty standards are constantly shifting, she encourages others to prioritize personal happiness and authenticity over external validation. "Moral of the story: I just think everybody should just stop worrying about everybody. Natural girls are winning. Surgery girls…BBL girls are winning," she shared. "Do what works for you and mind your own business. Make your own decisions based on what you want to do, not what other people are telling you to do."
Confidence and Empowerment
Latto's music and persona exude confidence and empowerment. As Julee Wilson noted in a cover story, "listening to your music makes me feel so damn sexy and strong!" Latto's goal is to give her listeners confidence and an escape from reality. "To give you an escape from reality. Like, ‘Okay, I go to my 9-to-5, I’m bored all the time,’ and it’s like, ‘No, put this on and loosen up a little bit.’ It gives the woman the power," she explained.
She attributes her confidence to her upbringing and the support of her family. "I’ve always been more alpha than the average female. I don’t know if that’s the Capricorn in me. It’s kind of by nature and then also how I grew up. Me and my sister grew up in a two-parent household. Neither of our parents went to college. I just watched them hustle and make a way for themselves. My father was very much in my life. He raised two very secure, confident, 'I know what I want' females. It gave me that confidence, like anything is possible," she shared.
Family Support
Latto emphasizes the importance of her family, particularly her mother and sister, in her life. "I really don’t know what I would do without my mom and my sister," she said. "That’s probably my biggest fear-not having them with me. I go to them when I have any problems. I don’t trust other people. So it’s like they’re my escape-my only escape." She also enjoys spoiling her family and ensuring they are taken care of. "I don’t let them pay for nothing. I have to tell them to take my money," she explained.
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Her mother is her biggest advocate and supports her bold fashion choices. "Everyone always asks what my parents think about the sexy clothes I wear. My mama is here for it. She loves it! She’s like, ‘Girl, do it now!’ She had me at 15 years old and wishes that she could have flaunted her body before kids. And then she turned around and had my sister at 19. She’s my biggest advocate," Latto shared.
Mental Health and Self-Care
Latto acknowledges the importance of mental health and self-care, especially in the limelight. "Respectfully, I never even acknowledged mental health before being famous. It’s not that I didn’t believe in it, it just had never crossed my mind. But being in the limelight, I’m understanding the importance of mental health, me-time, and self-care," she admitted. She prioritizes massages and relies on her sister for support. "Massages are more mental than physical for me," she explained. "Really, this came from my little sister. She is my rock, my everything."
She also recognizes the need to manage anxiety and overstimulation. "I get overwhelmed and overstimulated. That’s when my anxiety is at a peak. I’ll literally feel my heart beating, and I’ll be like, Relax! But I just gotta learn how to deal with it because it’s not going to get any easier. I’m just going to get more famous. If you’re not strong enough to see stuff and not respond, then you just need to get off," she advised.
Navigating Relationships and Privacy
Latto values her privacy and keeps her romantic relationship out of the public eye. "If something is special to me, I’m going to keep it close to me because everything else has to be front and center about my life," she explained. She also emphasizes the importance of trust and independence in her relationship. "We trust each other. When he’s at home, like now, he’s probably gambling with his friends. I let him do him. We’ve built that trust, and I think people will probably be caught off guard or shocked at who I am in a relationship versus my public persona," she shared.
Future Aspirations: Motherhood and Family
Latto dreams of becoming a mother and creating a family. "I want to be a mom so bad. Let me tell you, I think moms are superheroes. Man, I literally idolize motherhood," she expressed. She is inspired by other female artists like Rihanna, Cardi B, and Yung Miami, who have successfully balanced motherhood and their careers. "I feel like they kind of supersede the stigma that it’s over for women when you have a baby-like your career is over. They give me inspiration for real. They make me feel like I can do it too one day when the time is right, you feel me?"
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Embracing Her Body and Sexuality
Latto embraces her body and sexuality, using it as a form of empowerment. She posed nude for a cover story, viewing it as an opportunity to showcase her confidence and beauty. "I felt like the prettiest girl in the world, like that’s the best I’ve ever looked," she said. She also emphasizes the importance of tasteful presentation. "My lyrics are vulgar and explicit but tastefully done, at least in my opinion. I wanted the pictures to be as well. Not just boom-bam right in your face but more like a tease. Like you’re imagining me being fully naked and not really seeing it for real. I like the fantasy aspect to it," she explained.
Supporting Other Women
Latto is committed to supporting other women, particularly younger female rappers. She receives messages from artists like Yung Miami and Cardi B, offering advice and encouragement. "For sure. For sure. I get messages in my DMs all the time. Them telling me to stop responding to trolls, inviting me to birthday parties, album release parties. And a lot of DMs from Cardi especially like, ‘Stay focused. Don’t let no one trick you off your spot. I’ve been there before.’ And just giving me insight from stuff that they’ve already seen and done," she shared.