Being Sexy While Pregnant: Are There Limits?
Turn down the sexy for what?
A woman's body goes through many changes during pregnancy, but does that mean she should cover up more, and reserve her sexy until after she's given birth?
Although Beyoncé remained covered and most about showing her bump throughout her first pregnancy with Blue Ivy, the expecting mom has been showing us more of her sexier side while carrying twins. And of course the Internet trolls and critics have been questioning whether or not it's too much.
Back in her 2014 documentary, Beyoncé opened up about how motherhood and the power behind it has added more to her fierce confidence:
"Just because you become a mother, doesn't mean you lose who you are... I know that finding my sensuality getting back into my body, being proud of growing up -- it was important to me that I expressed that in this music because I know that there are so many women that feel the same thing after they give birth. You can have your child, and you can still have fun, and still be sexy and still have dreams for yourself!"
[Tweet "Just because you become a mother, doesn't mean you lose who you are - Beyonce"]
Even singer Ciara recorded the whole track B.M.F (Bad Mother-F**Ker) boasting about being the baddest after "pushing out a 9 lb, 10 oz. baby!". She too started a huge internet debate with her most recent maternity shoot that involved baby Future and her husband Russell Wilson.
This is all nothing new though, celebrities have been showing off their sexy pregnant side for years! Now that social media is involved, shoots and photos have opened up the debate on what actions are deemed inappropriate for a pregnant woman-- pending the question should women push "pause" on their sexiness while being pregnant? Or is there no such thing and all women are created equal in their sexual being?
Last year, Blac Chyna had not one but TWO nude pregnancy shoots hit the internet which were the cause of a lot of chatter. She wasn't the only one, reality tv star and fashion designer Angela Simmons, who had a little boy, also posed in a sexy pregnancy shoot.
When Coco Austin, wife of rapper and actor Ice-T was pregnant, she flicked it up and showed off her tiny baby bump... and her lady lumps while six-and-a-half months pregnant with their first child. Never one to cower from a thong bikini or full-blown nudity, she showed off her toned belly, while also making sure to get a few flicks of the money shot -- her backside in a g-string.
As far as the skin meter goes, certain celebrities give more than expected. But as stated, many of them aren't too far off from the implied nudity shots that expectant mothers have taken in the past. Chyna's soon to be sisters-in-law Kim and Kourtney Kardashian have bared their bods and bumps for everything from magazine covers to social media.
Actresses Nia Long and Tia Mowry-Hardrict have graced the covers and pages of Ebony and People magazine, while nude with wombs, and there was no denying the beauty and glow that came from these gorgeous mothers to be. Not to mention, all of the aforementioned were with child in their later 30's (and even 40s with Nia) which, based on the stigmas and statistics against older women's abilities to conceive, is quite commendable and a feat all its own. So kudos to all the mothers out there, especially those defeating the odds!
In a nutshell, feeling sexy, confident and beautiful should not cease due to pregnancy, and some expecting moms feel their sexiest during this time. Tamera Mowry-Housely once told people magazine:
"I always feel sexier when I'm pregnant, maybe it's a mixture of hormones, but I feel so blessed to be given the opportunity to give birth."
Phenomenal women we are.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Regina King Reflects On Grief and Loss After Her Son’s Death: ‘The Sadness Will Never Go Away.’
The pain of losing a child is an experience that no parent wants to go through — and actress Regina King is now ready to speak about her experience with grief two years after her son’s passing.
In her first TV interview appearance since her son, Ian Alexander Jr., died by suicide in January 2022, King sat down with Good Morning America, to reflect on the tragic loss.
“I’m a different person, you know, now than I was January 19,” King shared. “Grief is a journey, you know? I understand that grief is love that has no place to go.”
“I know that it’s important for me to honor Ian in the totality of who he is, speak about him in the present because he is always with me and the joy and happiness that he gave all of us,” she added.
The Shirley star also added that it's vital to discuss the common misconception surrounding depression, noting that battles with mental health can manifest in diverse ways. “When it comes to depression, people expect it to look a certain way — they expect it to look heavy,” King told Robin Roberts.
“To have to experience this and not be able to have the time to just sit with Ian’s choice, which I respect and understand… He didn’t want to be here anymore, and that’s a hard thing for other people to receive because they did not live our experience, did not live Ian’s journey.”
Jeff Kravitz / Contributor/Getty Images
The Academy Award winner openly revealed that she was initially “so angry with God.”
“Why would that weight be given to Ian? Of all of the things that we had gone through — therapy, psychiatrists, programs — and Ian was like, ‘I’m tired of talking, Mom,' " she said.
With the memory of her son near to her, King said through tears, “My favorite thing about myself is being Ian’s mom and I can say that with a smile, with tears, with all of the emotion that comes with that. I can’t do that if I did not respect the journey.”
Anderson, 26, was a musician, DJ, and King’s only child. In 2019, Ian escorted his mother on the red carpet of the Golden Globes where she took home the award for "Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture."
He toldE! News at the time, "She's just a super mom. She doesn't really let bad work days or anything come back and ruin the time that we have. It's really awesome to have a mother who I can enjoy spending time with."
Understanding that grief is shared by many others, King emphasizes the unique weight of her role as Ian's mother and acknowledges that the sadness will always be a part of her.
“Sometimes, a lot of guilt comes over me. When a parent loses a child, you still wonder, ‘What could I have done so that wouldn’t have happened?’ I know that I share this grief with everyone, but no one else is Ian’s mom, you know? Only me. So it’s mine. And the sadness will never go away. It will always be with me.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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Featured image by Shannon Finney / Stringer/Getty Images