Alicia Keys does Vegas Magazine, and as she prepares to perform at this month’s MTV Video Music Awards, the Grammy-winning singer opens up about her difficult past, her secret romance and As I am, her eagerly awaiting new album. You can hear her No one single here.

I was a girl from the street just trying to do her thing

alicia keys vegas mag cover

Alicia Keys is a different girl now. In the interview, Vegas Magazine says that when Alicia had been discovered, she looked totally different, her skin was noticeably affected with acne and her healthy curves were in glaring opposition to the typical size most female entertainers aspire to be.

I was thrust into a world driven by appearance. This is more of a superficial world, but my spirit is not of that fabric , so it was a little uncomfortable. (…) Stylist would come at me with seven-inch stilettos, but I wanted to wear Timberlands!

But Keys says she has become comfortable in her skin over the years, she is less rigid and more open to different experiences now.