Reggae sensation Alaine is dismissing the notion of ageism in the music industry. Reflecting on her journey spanning two decades, Alaine opens up about the harsh realities of ageism, particularly for female artists.
The “I Rise Singer” posted an image of her 20 year old self with the caption, “This was 20 years ago. When I was 25. I am 45 years old.”
Alaine highlights what she says are the arbitrary standards that often define a musician’s relevance echoing sentiments shared by fellow reggae artist Nadine Sutherland, who recently shed light on ageism in the industry. “From you pass 25 you’re considered old and therefore, irrelevant,” Alaine laments, siting that as a single woman without children, she’s frequently faced intrusive questions about her personal life. “‘How can you be single?’ ‘Why don’t you have any children?’ Is something wrong with you? There must be.”
While these inquiries once perturbed her, Alaine says her newfound perspective is to be gratitude. “Honestly, it used to bother me, it doesn’t now,” she admits. “I’m so grateful to be alive… It’s made me look at life in a much deeper way than numbers and waist measurements.”
Adding a message of empowerment for her fans, the singer, actor, songwriter urges women to embrace their worth beyond societal expectations. “Ladies, you are enough,” she asserts. “Whether you’re 1 or 100, whether you have children or not, married or single… Celebrate who you are, where you are and how you are.”
Throughout her career, Alaine has worked with some of Jamaica’s biggest producers including Sly and Robbie, Don Corleon.
Read Alaine’s full statement below:
“This was 20 years ago. When I was 25. I am 45 years old.
I saw my amazing sister @nadinesutherland make a post about ageism in the industry and it’s a very real thing especially for women. From you pass 25 you’re considered old and therefore, irrelevant.
Women are advised to hide their age, lie about it, and just feel ashamed of the natural process of aging that affects every single living being on the planet, because everybody, everywhere, everyday, is getting older and will always be, unless you die.
As a single woman, without children, as well, I’ve been repeatedly asked , ‘How can you be single?’ And why don’t you have any children?’ Is something wrong with you? There must be. I frequently delete comments on my page ‘You’re getting old, or ‘Yuh need fi find a man and have some pickney’.
Honestly, it used to bother me, it doesn’t now. I’m so grateful to be alive. Everyday is such a gift. I’ve had some health scares and seen so many people younger and older than me pass away and it’s made me look at life in a much deeper way, than numbers and waist measurements and societal expectations and bad mind 🤷🏽♀️
Love and children are such a beautiful blessing and it is something I celebrate in the lives of so many beautiful people that I know. I trust God with wisdom and timing and remain hopeful, while fully accepting the many blessings that are already in my life. Life is good. I am so blessed and so excited about all the expected and unexpected blessings that are on the way.
Ladies, you are enough. Whether you’re 1 or 100, whether you have children or not, married or single . Focus on the good in your life and the contribution that you are here to make, that only you with your unique talents can bring. There will always be negative voices but their negativity shows what’s inside them, not what’s inside you. Mek dem talk, you just go on living with gratitude, excellence, purpose and love.
Your gifts have no expiration date. Your talents have no limits. Celebrate who you are, where you are and how you are, and more reasons to celebrate will show up.”
