Alicia Keys Graces the Cover of Harper’s Bazaar ICONS

Harper’s BAZAAR’s September issue features the much-anticipated ICONS by Carine Roitfeld portfolio, showcasing inspirational actors, models and musicians, on newsstands August 20th.

This year’s portfolio is comprised of women and men that have shifted perceptions by resisting the established, avoiding the accepted and breaking every rule they can including Alicia Keys, Christy Turlington, Regina King, Awkwafina, Shailene Woodley, Lakeith Stanfield, Céline Dion, Kate Moss, Alek Wek and Devon Aoki. Alicia Keys graces the cover of the U.S. newsstand edition, with Christy Turlington on the subscriber cover.

“To me there is nothing more iconic than being singular—no one before you or after…and no copycats because they would not know where to start. But beyond being unique and talented, the 10 cultural forces in this year’s ICONS portfolio have expanded, redefined, or completely dispensed with accepted notions, expected behaviors, previous templates, and any rules about their crafts. Their attitude and confidence is an inspiration,” said global fashion director Carine Roitfeld.

Alicia opens up in a candid interview about love, motherhood and why we could all use a little crystal healing in our lives.

• On why she created her nonprofit She Is the Music: “I think women are held to higher standards because we are that much more important to the human race. Women are always going to have to navigate a more difficult space because we occupy so many different levels within it, and that’s how powerful we are.”

 

• On her female-empowering anthems: “A majority of those songs—‘A Woman’s Worth,’ ‘Superwoman,’ and ‘Girl on Fire’—were written when I was not feeling worthy. They were always songs that I needed to hear because I was going through a time when I was feeling down and needed to be reminded that this is who I am and this is what I deserve!”

 

• On her upcoming album: “It reflects where I am today—the deeper acceptance I have of who I am as a full human being, the flaws, the pieces that I used to push aside because I wasn’t ready to embrace the anger or the fear or the crazy.”

 

• On how motherhood changed her perspective: “Motherhood gave me a stronger sense of clarity. I used to be less aware of how I wanted to spend my time and more influenced by other people. After I had my kids, I felt like I had found my North Star. I was less wasteful; I worked more effectively.”

 

• On receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: “Though I’ve always been grateful, I’ve never put too much weight on awards. But now I’m trying to be better about cherishing the big, wonderful things. It’s great to be humble, but all of us deserve to celebrate the win.”

To View the Full Feature: #BAZAARICONS: Alicia Keys Is on a High Note