Ava Sophia longs to just be. To exist beyond categories, measurements, and increments — too much, not enough, and all the predetermined “wrong” amounts in between; to abandon so-called perfection and the “right kind” of pretty, and instead embrace a lifestyle that doesn’t revolve around preening yourself to be perceived in the best possible light. And if that situation feels tedious and exhausting to read about, just imagine trying to live in it — every single day.
The Boston R&B artist peels back the curtain on the strains of womanhood in her new song and video “Imperfect,” which dropped today, International Women’s Day (March 8). As her piano ballad unfolds, it flattens the rigid boxes that society has assigned women, offering rebellious encouragement to her sisters — and much-needed perspective to everyone else.
“We face this scrutiny that I feel like men don’t necessarily experience in the same way, over everything,” Sophia explains at the beginning of the video, which was filmed in collaboration with ZUMIX. “From our bodies, to our minds, to our decisions, to our lives and how exhausting it can get and the ways that we’re just not allowed to ‘be.’ We’re not allowed to put our walls down, we’re not allowed to just like, be who we are, which sometimes is not perfect and sometimes it’s flawed — and that’s okay.”
Above all else, “Imperfect” bears the reminder that these struggles aren’t reduced to a single holiday or month, even though similar conversations only gain significant traction in March (Women’s History Month) or when a scandal surfaces, seemingly out of obligation.
“Being a woman is an honor, a blessing, and simultaneously a constant battle,” she adds on Instagram. “In so many ways, we are expected to leave the less attractive, less palatable parts of ourselves at the door for the well being of others. We are expected to be caretakers, but our own sensitivity is weak and selfish. We are expected to be beautiful to satisfy patriarchal standards. We are expected to be feminine, but our femininity is shameful. This song is for us, choosing to show up as our fullest most honest selves against all odds.”
Tune in below.