Natural Chick: A Love Letter to Beauty That Doesn't Need Permission

The Life of a Modern Renaissance Man: A Video Journal, entry 19

We live in a world where everybody seems to have an opinion about what somebody else's face or body should look like. Filters, trends, procedures, comparisons, and a thousand people selling confidence by pointing out what you're supposedly missing.

I wanted to make something that pushed back on that pressure, so I created Natural Chick. At the time, the song was a tribute to Gabrielle, who was my wife, and to women embracing their natural beauty. We filmed a music video together, with Gabrielle appearing on camera and helping make the production possible.

The message was personal to me: I admire authenticity, the little details that make someone unmistakably themselves, and the courage it takes to be comfortable in your own skin. I've learned that how we talk about beauty matters, too. People deserve room to make their own choices about their bodies without their worth becoming a public referendum.

Creatively, this project was another chance to blend my love of music, comedy, directing, and visual storytelling. I could turn a strong opinion into an actual song and then build the images around it. That is still one of my favorite ways to make art.

I hope the video feels like encouragement to recognize your own beauty. There is something wonderful about no longer needing everyone else's permission to feel at home in yourself.