Nelly Furtado praised for sharing ‘honest’ makeup-free bikini pics

A massive noughties pop star has been praised for sharing bikini photos as she calls out the “aesthetic pressure” of working in the industry.

While many are on a quest to overhaul their bodies for this new year, Nelly Furtado is embracing hers as it is – “spider veins” and all.

The noughties pop star has been praised for her latest Instagram post in which she shared makeup-free, bikini photos of herself to kick off a “body neutral” in 2025.

“HAVE A BODY NEUTRAL 2025, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, LOVE WITH EVERY INCH OF YOUR HEART,️” she wrote. “THANKS FOR ALL THE MEMORIES THIS YEAR.”

“This year I became aware of the aesthetic pressure of my work in a brand new way, while simultaneously I experienced new levels of self-love and genuine confidence from within.”

Nelly Furtado has shared two makeup-free, bikini photos on Instagram.

In her body-positive post, the 47-year-old said that she’s “never had” plastic surgery, but she does admit to having “veneers on the top row of my teeth”.

Furtado added that she hasn’t dabbled in any face or lip injections or fillers either, despite many online business owners using her likeness to sell products and myths about her last year.

The singer says she is staying “body neutral” in 2025.

“I had to pursue some legal action against a few charlatans online selling services based on selling health and beauty myths about me,” she said.

“For whoever cares, I have never had any face or body surgeries or augmentation... So far, I have not had any face or lip injections or fillers of any kind, but I do have a loving, old school facialist who I purchase serums and creams from and I started that when I was 20.”

The Maneater singer then shared some of her tricks to looking red-carpet ready.

“The day before photo shoots and red carpets, I drink a lot of water and sleep on my back,” she shared.

Furtado at the Grammy Awards in 2002. Picture: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Performing on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in 2001. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

“Sometimes on the red carpet or at photo shoots my makeup artist uses face tape to give my eyes, skin and makeup more lift. Sometimes my stylist uses body tape to give a certain look to different silhouettes. Body makeup can also sometimes be contoured to achieve a certain look. Makeup can do magical things!”

However, in her bikini photos, Furtado said she isn't wearing any make-up, nor did she apply any filters, because in 2025 she plans to express herself “freely”.

“These photos I have no makeup and there is no editing or filters on these photos but I do have a spray tan! I have spider veins and they remind me of my mum and aunties and life so I think that’s why I haven’t parted with them so far️,” she wrote.

The singer has learnt to embrace her body and all her imperfections. Picture: Leon Bennett/Getty Images

“My New Year’s message for 2025, is express yourself freely, celebrate your individuality and know that it’s perfectly OK to be OK with what you see in the mirror, and it’s also OK to want something different. We are all cute little humans just bouncing around the earth looking for hugs.

“PS- this post is not intended to hate on anyone, I am just joining the storytelling community and this story is MINE.”

Her followers have since praised the singer for keeping it real on a platform where filters reign.

“THIS is what we NEED to see more of on the internet. Especially from Celebrities. Love your message and realness,” commented one Instagram fan, while another wrote, “HATS OFF for this honest post!!! And respect for embracing your natural self and giving us a glimpse of such a genuine part of yourself.”

Furtado performs onstage during the Juno Awards in March 2024 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Picture: Cindy Ord/Getty Images

“QUEEN. The QUEENIEST of QUEENS. LOVE YOU and your spider veins FOREVER,” gushed another, as another fan commented, “You are ONE of ONE!!! Forever our Queen. Love YOU!!!

Furtado first burst onto the music scene with her debut album Whoa, Nelly! in 2000, which birthed the hits I’m Like a Bird and Turn Off the Light.

She went on to release seven more albums, with her latest album aptly named , which came out in September last year.

The singer is scheduled to perform various concerts in her native Canada, before hitting the UK and Europe for some gigs later this year.