If you haven’t learned anything from SZA’s latest album, SOS, then you know that the “Ghost In The Machine” singer is comfortable in her skin. It hasn’t always been this way. On past projects, the songwriter shared that she struggled with body insecurity. But that’s all a thing of the past, and to showcase her newly found confidence, the recording artist teamed up with clothing and shapewear company Skims.
SZA joins the likes of Brooke Shields, Juliette Lewis, Cassie, Indya Moore, Becky G, and Chelsea Handler in lending her likeness to the brand. As one of the newest models for the company, SZA stripped down to her undies in promotional shots for its new Fits Everybody campaign.
In a statement shared with Variety, SZA raved about the collaboration saying, “I’m excited to be in Skims’ latest Fits Everybody underwear campaign and to align myself with a brand that strives to make women feel both comfortable and sexy.”
The company, co-founded by Kim Kardashian, has been working to incorporate more pop culture figures in its marketing campaigns. When asked about tapping the singer for the campaign, Kardashian said, “SZA’s honesty, confidence, and dynamic energy are unparalleled. She’s truly the woman of the moment, and I’m so honored for her to be featured in Skims’ latest campaign.”
In her song “Conceited,” SZA sings, “I just got my body done, ain’t got no guilt about it / I just heard your opinion, I could’ve did without it,” and that investment in self surely paid off in this campaign.
For more information about Skims’ Fits Everybody collection, click here.
Her curves have been breaking the internet, and now SZA is lending her bodacious body to Skims. Kim Kardashian’s underwear brand has helped the reality television mogul rake in millions, and SZA’s addition is surely another moneymaker. Today (March 22), Skims shared images from the S.O.S. hitmaker’s campaign with the loungewear giant, and as expected, the photos have hearts racing. “I’m excited to be in SKIMS’ latest Fits Everybody underwear campaign,” the singer said in a press release, “and to align myself with a brand that strives to make women feel both comfortable and sexy.”
At the moment, SZA is in the thick of her sold-out S.O.S. tour to support the album that has been a staple on the charts. Kardashian is impressed by SZA’s tenacity, so it was an easy choice for her to lead the Fits Everybody campaign. “SZA’s honesty, confidence, and dynamic energy are unparalleled. She’s truly the woman of the moment, and I’m so honored for her to be featured in SKIMS’ latest campaign,” said Kardashian.
SZA Is Sultry In Skims
Provided By Skims
Kardashian’s sentiments were further echoed by Jens Grede, co-founder of Skims. “SZA is a defining voice in popular culture today; a multi-faceted artist who’s an inspiration to women everywhere,” Grede stated. “We are thrilled to spotlight SZA in this campaign as we believe she embodies the values of SKIMS.” This has been a new curvy season for SZA, whose body has been a topic of pop culture. The singer seemingly addressed getting cosmetic surgery on S.O.S., leaving many to once again discuss whether or not she’s gone under the knife.
Meanwhile, her supporters are happy to see her back in action. It took years for S.O.S. to make it to completion, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort. SZA occasionally popped up on social media with complaints about her label delaying her record. However, Top Dawg Entertainment president Terrence “Punch” Henderson Jr. always had SZA’s best interest—and global success—at heart. Additionally, in a recent interview with Rap Radar, Punch revealed that SZA has at least an EP’s worth of Rap tracks. Since disclosing the information, fans have been clamoring for a listen. Check out more photos from SZA’s hot Skims campaign below.
Between 2017’s Ctrl and 2022’s SOS, SZA left her fanbase undeniably hungry for new music, and since they’ve got it, it’s hardly left the top position on the charts. Along with her sophomore album, the TDE artist announced that she would be heading out on tour across North America, which she’s currently in the midst of. She kicked things off in Columbus, Ohio on February 21, and will be wrapping her time on the road later this week in Los Angeles. Before her grand Californian finale, SZA had one last show to put on for Canada last night (March 19).
The 33-year-old gave audiences at Rogers Arena precisely what they were looking for as she sang hits like “Kill Bill,” “Shirt,” and “Good Days” from SOS. She also revisited old favourites from her discography, catering to new and old fans as her trip around the continent quickly approaches its conclusion. Thankfully for those who weren’t able to catch SZA on tour, she’ll be performing at Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, AL in mid-May.
To commemorate her time in Vancouver, the “Drew Barrymore” hitmaker posted a photo dump on Monday (March 20) morning with photos and videos both from her recent performance and her fun outdoor adventures in the beautiful city. “Pacific North West always hits,” SZA wrote in the caption before thanking Canada’s coast for showing her love and bringing her joy. Kicking off the carousel is a photo of the Missouri native hanging out backstage, her curves looking ample in a sleek brown two-piece set displaying her toned midriff.
Immediately afterward, SZA showed off her wild side as she explored the local hiking trails, where she came across plenty of running water, rock, and beautiful green trees. We also see her (and her bodacious behind) posing for digital photos before her concert, smiling wide while sporting baggy jeans and Ugg boots, and sharing a thoughtful message from her adventures with followers. “Come forth into the light of things,” it reads. “Let nature be your teacher.” See all of the vocalist’s Vancouver memories for yourself above, and check back later for more pop culture news updates.
The many celebrities who took home an Academy Award on Sunday (March 12) night were surely happy with their win. Still, that obviously doesn’t mean the rest of the world was as enthused for them. Each and every ceremony brings with it a collection of snubs – prizes given to nominees who arguably deserve them less than their contemporaries, usually for reasons related to race and socioeconomic background. This year, it seems as though the internet is most enraged about Angela Bassett’s loss after her emotional performance in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The 64-year-old was up against Hong Chau (The Whale), Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Jamie Lee Curtis, and Stephanie Hsu – the latter two starring in Everything Everywhere All at Once – in the Best Supporting Actress category. Ultimately, it was the Freaky Friday actress who took home the Oscar, and cameras caught an obviously upset expression on Bassett’s face when the news was announced.
Angela Bassett Loses “Best Supporting Actress” to Jamie Lee Curtis
Angela Bassett attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
In the hours since the Academy Awards aired, thousands have tweets have been shared, expressing frustration over Bassett’s loss. Fans of the American Horror Story starlet have been actively rooting for her to win, especially considering she’s been snubbed before in the past. Days before the ceremony took place, SZA ranted about the Hollywood icon’s lack of recognition on her Twitter page. “Realizing Angela Bassett doesn’t already have an Oscar [makes] me wanna knock shit over,” she said.
Many other users have made it clear they feel the same way as the Ctrl singer. “Literally it’s sick asf,” someone replied to SZA’s post. “Everyone who voted for Jamie Lee Curtis over Angela Bassett and Stephanie Hsu needs to sleep with one eye open,” another person joked. Keep scrolling to read more social media reactions to last night’s Oscars snub, and check out the full list of 2023 winners here.
SZA Isn’t Happy, Neither Are Many Twitter Users
Realizing Angela Basset doesn’t already have an Oscar make me wanna knock shit over
you’re telling me that corny ass Performance from Jaime lee curtis was better than this piece of Art Angela Bassett delivered?pic.twitter.com/lgykpGMKg7
You would swear Angela Bassett got up and said FUCK THE OSCARS the way these ppl carrying on. At least everyone gets to see the magnitude in which Black women are expected to perform and how our every emotion is policed. Decades in and she’s not even allowed to fight back tears
jamie lee curtis over stephanie hsu and angela bassett is so deeply unserious because of all the roles she’s had in her life there is no way she should have won in eeaao. it should have been FREAKY FRIDAY.
SZA’s sophomore effort was expected to be a success, but the reaction even took Terrence “Punch” Henderson slightly by surprise. It had been years since SZA released a new full-length album, but it was clear that the anticipation was getting to the hitmaker. For years, she repeatedly took to social media to voice her frustrations with her label. Punch took many of those hits, especially from fans who questioned him about SZA’s second project’s delay. He sat down with Rap Radar and spoke about the songbird’s release, as well as her evolution under the Top Dawg umbrella.
“I think she adjusting a lot better now,” Punch shared with the podcast in an intimate interview. “I think it’s finally starting to set in as to what’s going on and who she is. Like, for the longest, I don’t feel she connected who SZA is to Solána. But I think now, she’s starting to see it, to understand.” It’s something that even SZA acknowledged in a tweet where she claimed Punch told her she was losing herself.
SZA Crosses Genre Lines
SZA at Billboard Women In Music held at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
A highlight of S.O.S. was the singer testing genre boundaries and stepping out of her R&B box. “She’s always bended the genre, so it wasn’t nothing new,” said Punch. “It was just going, pushing it further.” He then disclosed that it isn’t just alternative music that SZA is interested in. “Like she doing full Rap records now… She got like maybe—she got like an EP’s worth of full Rap records. Like all the way out, no singing.”
The revelation has stirred the singer’s fans, who are always in the mood for more SZA. In a profile interview with Billboard, Punch echoed his sentiments, praising his artist for her expansive reach. “SZA is a force. To go seven consecutive weeks at No. 1 is legendary,” he said of her accomplishment. “She’s a true generational artist, a cultural reset, if you will.”
“For her album S.O.S to blend so many different genres together in a cohesive frame shows her genius and versatility,” he further stated. “Then you have the voice, the words, the pain, the growth, the relapsing, the delivery, the stories, etc. … a true masterpiece.” Check out Punch’s interview with Rap Radar above.
One of the many praises that SZA often receives as a songwriter is that she pens R&B anthems in a style as complex as her rapper labelmates on Top Dawg Entertainment (especially on her new album, SOS). And although she’s not strictly seen as a rapper, she could release a whole album of straight-up rap if she wanted to because she has enough songs to do so, according to Top Dawg president Punch.
The longsuffering label head — he’s taken plenty of abuse from SZA fans over the years for the steps he’s taken to ensure her success, although he turns out to be right more often than not — sat down with Rap Radar Podcast and gave his takes on SZA’s growth since she signed to the label almost a decade ago.
“I think she’s adjusting [to fame] a lot better now,” he said. “I think it’s finally starting to set in as to what’s going on and who she is. Like, for the longest, I don’t feel she connected who SZA is to Solána. But I think now, she’s starting to see it, to understand.”
As far as her rap-infused songwriting style, he revealed that the “genre-bending” singer could easily hold her own with the rest of TDE’s roster. “She’s always bended the genre, so it wasn’t nothing new, it was just going, pushing it further,” he noted. “Like, she doing full rap records now … That’s all her, yeah, 100 percent. She got like an EP’s worth of full rap records, like all the way out, no singing.”
Hey Punch, here me out: A tag-team joint project with Doechii. Gangbusters, fam. Thank me later.
You can watch the full episode of Punch’s interview with Rap Radar‘s Elliott Wilson and Brian Miller above.
SZA has been one of the most relevant names in the music scene since releasing ‘SOS‘ back in December. Best known for off-the-wall vocal range and tantalizing R&B grooves, she certainly didn’t live the traditional background that many other artists followed to success. If anything, her upbringing is proof that their isn’t one roadmap to success.
Here are 10 facts about SZA’s past that may surprise you.
Any self-proclaimed hip-hop head will know about Top Dog Entertainment. Featuring the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Isaiah Rashad, the collective was arguably the household name for hip-hop talent at it’s peak. However, the record companies’ first female signing was actually SZA. A friend attending an event with SZA convinced the TDE President to take a listen to her music. After hearing a few of her snippets back in 2011, they signed her at 23 years old.
She was once Fired for Eating Weed-Laced Brownies
I forgot Deisel too they fired me over a weed brownie conspiracy … conspiracy https://t.co/ZEfbyzz9wo
After graduating from college, SZA took a variety of low-paying jobs in order to pay rent. At 23 years old, the New-Jersey based artist was “completely broke” when she signed her record deal with TDE. During one brief stint at clothing company Diesel, she was fired for eating weed-laced brownies that gave her a bad reaction.
SZA was active in sports throughout her scholastic years. As a sophomore in high school, she was the fifth ranked gymnast in the US. However, she would soon thereafter give up the sport after realizing that she wouldn’t make the Olympics. Stating “If I can’t win, I won’t play,” the decision has definitely worked out in the long-run for her.
She had no Plans to Pursue Music until after College
SZA had absolutely no plans to pursue music until after college. Focused as a gymnast in high school and later pursuing a degree in marine biology at Delaware State University, the idea only cemented when she decided to drop out of college. Her reasoning was simple, she hated it. “I drank Malibu and smoked week everyday. And slept.” She would work a variety of blue-collar jobs while creating music on the side, before she received her first paycheck in music at age 23.
SZA was kicked out of her family home after quitting college. Her mom wouldn’t have it, viewing SZA’s decision as an abandonment of her dreams for her. SZA would spent the next few months sleeping at friends’ house. “That time of my life sent me into a crazy depression, but it also lit a fire under me to make something of myself.” Her mother later regretted her harshness on her daughter, stating that “I’m so glad she didn’t listen to me.” However, SZA may not have ended pushing herself musically if her mother had let her stay.
Before me THEE lauryn Hill went to my high school .. along w Rotimi , Angela Yee , aj from 106 n park , Eric Hudson who madeTHEE flashing lights and hella others ! I’m jus one of many s/o CHS I love my town #mapsohttps://t.co/xKMhSI0KGJ
Two of the most talented R&B vocalists of all-time went to the same high school. 15 years prior to SZA, Lauryn Hill also attended Colombia High School in New Jersey. SZA performed and give a speech at her old high school back in 2018 after being inducted in the school’s hall of fame. She certainly didn’t have an easy experience in high school, as she’s since opened up about the bullying and Islamophobia that she was forced to endure as a teenager.
She Was Raised as an Orthodox Muslim
Lol I remember ppl said I wasn’t raised muslim .. if u noticed I jus be letting shit rock lol . Think piece it up
SZA has been open about the emotional abuse she faced post-9/11 as a Muslim. Admitting that she stopped wearing a hijab after being bullied and stereotyped for her beliefs, she was bullied throughout her childhood for her beliefs. She stated “It pains me to see all of this Islamophobia growing when I know the damage that causes. Where it comes from a place of ignorance and fear.” However, she’s learned to embrace her beliefs with time. The talented singer still fasts for Ramadan every year.
Back in 2014, SZA wrote “Consideration” with the intention of the track appearing on ‘CTRL.’ However, she decided to give the song to Rihanna in order to impress Pharrell Williams. The track would end up appearing on Rihanna’s eighth studio album, ‘Anti.’ It wasn’t the only that she would write for another big-name female artist. In addition, she wrote “Feeling Myself,” which appears on Nicki Minaj’s ‘The Pinkprint.’
She has a Unique Songwriting Process
I freestyle 90% of everything.. tryna learn how to write stuff down cause some of my faves do . Freestyle is a mix of past n present mostly past . Written is usually all present .. lil bit of past https://t.co/WdiEp9FU2Q
The majority of artists will write their lyrics down while hearing a beat. However, SZA has a unique process. Similar to Jay-Z, she freestyles off of beats off of the top of her head. Back in 2020, she tweeted “I freestyle 90% of everything. Tryna learn how to write stuff down because most of my favs do.” Guided by her imaginative impulses, she’s undeniably a master at articulating the woes of modern romance. Her most recent record, ‘SOS,’ was likely her best project from a songwriting perspective to date.
The SOS Album Cover was Inspired by Princess Diana
SZA is seated at the edge of a diving board on the ‘SOS’ album cover, peering out into the vastness of the ocean. The image directly mirrors a photo of Princess Diana taken back in 1997 on a lake in Portofino, Italy. When describing the cover, she said “I just liked how isolated she (Princess Diana) felt, and that was what I wanted to convey the most.” The narrative around the album certainly fits this sentiment, as much of ‘SOS’ discusses her falling in and out of love with a lover, as well as her struggles in processing that experience.
SZA just gushed over Cardi B’s looks as she modeled some items from her McDonald’s merch line with Offset. Moreover, the couple’s fast-food partnership caught at least some pushback from a couple franchises, but people are still talking about it. When Cardi posted some pictures of some selections from the line, the TDE singer took to the comments to gas her up. “Ur so bad it’s INSANE,” she wrote on the Invasion of Privacy MC’s Instagram post on Wednesday (March 8). The exclusive collection’s still available for just a couple more days on her website, so head there if you want some merch of your own.
Furthermore, the two acclaimed artists have kept a lot of rapport and support over the years. For example, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper recently accompanied the “Kill Bill” star during the latter’s New York tour stop. In fact, it was quite the star-studded night, as acclaimed heartstring-tugger Phoebe Bridgers also came through. Also, Cardi and SZA have a few collaborations together, which always combines their empowering voices quite well. One instance of a team-up was for SZA and Summer Walker’s track “No Love,” which Cardi hopped on for a remix.
Also, the Bronx native hyped SZA’s fit and body up on her Instagram Story after the latter posted some pictures from her Atlanta show. At seemingly every corner, these two are there to support each other even from a distance. Of course, both are at such a peak of relevance and visibility right now that they hardly need any extra bumps. As such, even a small comment about your looks with your French fries shirt goes a long way. It’s more than many get in this industry.
Regardless, Cardi’s done plenty to help other careers and to support other artists in the field. A more unorthodox example is Blueface, who recently thanked Cardi for changing his trajectory. “When I got that cardi feature I never spoke with her prior to the studio session or recording of the music video everything was done from management to management to ensure professional business no money was exchanged for anything because it made cents for everyone no leverage,” he wrote. “That feature changed my life fasho that’s the only way we doing business in 2023.” Check out Cardi’s post (hyped up by SZA) above and stay tuned to HNHH for the latest on these incredible artists.
(@Ian7_77) 
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they fired me over a weed brownie conspiracy 
… conspiracy 
I love my town 
