British music icon Beverley Knight has made a shocking revelation about the cutthroat nature of the entertainment business, disclosing that record label executives once held a meeting solely to discuss her weight while she was struggling with personal problems at home.
A Secret Discussion About Appearance
The singer, widely celebrated as the Queen of British Soul, told the Daily Mail about the incident which occurred during the peak of her fame. Knight, now 51, was not invited to the meeting but was later informed it had taken place. She expressed her dismay that while she was dealing with underlying personal issues that affected her figure, the industry's concern was purely superficial.
'I remember there was a meeting to discuss my weight, which was interesting. I was not a part of that meeting, but I was told about it!' Knight stated. 'I was bigger because there was stuff going on, yet no one cared about the issues that were underlying – all they cared about was the aesthetic, and that's the problem.'
Wellbeing Ignored in Favour of Image
Knight, whose career spans over three decades and includes platinum-selling albums, Top 40 hits, and acclaimed West End roles in shows like The Bodyguard and Memphis, emphasised the damaging precedent this sets. She argued that when an artist's mental health is disregarded in favour of their appearance, it signals profound issues within the industry's culture.
'When we start to care solely about the aesthetic in people and not if the artist is ok, or their mental health is well, then we've got huge problems,' she said. Asked if there were plans to put her on a diet, Knight responded, 'If they were, thankfully, I didn't hear about it. I would have kicked up. I was not the kind of artist who would have swallowed that.'
Part of a Wider Industry Reckoning
Her experience echoes troubling accounts featured in the recent BBC documentary, Girlbands Forever. The series examines the mistreatment of female artists in the 1990s and 2000s, with harrowing stories from groups like All Saints, Little Mix, and Atomic Kitten. Notably, All Saints' Melanie Blatt revealed she was urged to have an abortion after falling pregnant during the band's heyday.
Now thriving, Knight attributes her health and youthful appearance to a lifestyle of clean living and happiness. 'Clean-living, wellness, happiness and a good man on my arm, I am teetotal - I’ve never drank alcohol,' she shared. The MBE-awarded singer also fondly recalled her 2007 investiture, where the late Queen Elizabeth II asked her about her love of music and travel, though she revealed the honour was sadly burgled from her home in 2021.
Looking ahead, Knight has a clear theatrical ambition: 'My dream role hasn’t been written yet. I want someone to write the stage version of Aretha Franklin’s life. I’d love to do that.' Her story stands as a powerful testament to the pressures faced by artists and the ongoing need for the music business to prioritise humanity over image.
