She rose to fame with the hit single "KONGOLESE SOUS BBL," an addictive track that quickly climbed to the top of our playlists. Theodora, a multifaceted artist with a hybrid style, was virtually unknown just a year ago, and today she's selling out arenas in record time. On the show "Couch," hosted and created by Lena Mahfouf, the new queen of pop, named Woman of the Year by GQ, opens up like never before. She speaks candidly about her body and sings the melody of self-acceptance.
Theodora makes some startling revelations about her appearance
From our headphones to the speakers of the trendiest clubs and the most legendary stages, her sound resonates everywhere. Her tracks, which make hips sway with every chorus, are among the most listened to on streaming platforms. Voted "Female Revelation" of the year at the Flammes de la Musique awards, Theodora is making gold with her voice. It's no coincidence that she's nicknamed "boss lady" in the industry.
The rapper, who is gently following in the footsteps of Aya Nakamura, is an unclassifiable artist. Her music is a vibrant melting pot of rap, pop, R&B, electro, and bouyon. Mixed, colorful, feverish, and rebellious, her sounds have all the ingredients to become memorable hits. Theodora has also forged an imposing image of a diva, a self-assured vixen. XXL false eyelashes, neon eyeshadow, an asymmetrical leopard-print wig, a smile adorned with rhinestones—she's a true character.
In fact, as she explained to Lena Situations on the show "Couch," she owes her natural poise to the women in her family. She grew up surrounded by powerful female role models, capable of intimidating men with their sheer presence. However, despite this impressive legacy, Theodora isn't entirely at peace with her reflection.
“I’m very comfortable with not being comfortable with my body,” she says, almost philosophically. While the body positivity movement “forces” women to love their bodies, Theodora has her insecurities, but she’s okay with them. She has a little tummy and shows it off in cropped tops or low-rise jeans. “I get so angry when I feel like someone is trying to take away something I have a right to,” she insists.
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A great comeback to those who criticize her body
Even though her body is secondary in her art, which is more about listening than looking, Theodora has become the target of online harassment. On TikTok, the young pop prodigy has received more barbs than praise. She knows it's one of the "risks of the job." "Like you, you're in front of the camera, people expect you to be a size 8, maybe even a 6," she laments. In this industry where appearance should be a mere detail, beauty standards are rampant. During this long, intimate, and introspective conversation, the singer offers a voice of reason.
Even in adversity, she holds her head high. Instead of giving in to those who want to harm her by hiding her body under layers of clothing and minimizing her silhouette, Theodora fights back with tight dresses and outfits made of minimal fabric. "When I do this, I'm fighting against something," Theodora asserts.
And under the video in question, internet users thank her for her frankness, her authenticity, her mindset. Women truly feel represented, understood, and heard. Theodora, in addition to charming our ears, bolsters our self-esteem. "She put a bandage where society has managed to destroy women," commented one. "Our generation needed an artist like Theodora," added another.
The rapper is free to dress as she pleases
"Why would you want to take away my right to wear tight dresses just because I've gained weight?" Theodora answers this self-question with a regal "I don't care." The author of the ironic "they're all laughing in my face" is defiant and free. And she proclaims it loud and clear through her very seams.
In this unusual interview, she admits to having a deconstructed, eclectic look. And that's what makes her unique. Theodora wouldn't truly be herself without her eccentric layering, geometric extensions, and quirky Y2K aesthetic. The young woman, the second most-streamed French-language artist in France, ahead of Céline Dion and behind Aya Nakamura, is waging a necessary battle of ideas.
Theodora doesn't just drown out the din of our subway rides or liven up our disco nights. She says out loud what others only think to themselves. She whispers words of love in our ear and soothes our confidence.
