“I would hope that whoever told you that you are ugly is not anyone you would call a friend.” Evanescence’s Amy Lee shares some beautiful advice with a fan – and explains why “being an Instagram star” is not the important part of making art
During a Guardian fan Q&A session, Evanescence's Amy Lee addressed a question from an aspiring rock musician who expressed doubt about her career prospects after being told she was unattractive. The fan described her frustration with the entertainment industry's fixation on physical beauty and sexualisation as marketing tools, questioning whether unconventional-looking women had any realistic chance of succeeding in rock music.
Lee offered thoughtful encouragement in response, suggesting the questioner dismiss negativity from those around her and instead cultivate inner qualities and artistic substance. She reframed beauty as something that emerges from creative work and musical talent, arguing that building authentic artistic skills held far greater importance than conforming to appearance-based industry standards or pursuing social media prominence.
- Amy Lee from Evanescence answered a fan's question during a Guardian Q&A about pursuing rock music despite being called 'unattractive'
- Lee emphasised that true beauty comes from artistic talent and creative expression rather than physical appearance
- She advised the fan to disregard critics and focus on developing authentic artistry instead of seeking social media validation