BEYOCE’S VOICE FOR THOSE TRAPPED IN THE BEAUTY MYTH: AN ANALYSIS OF LYRIC “PRETTY HURTS” BY BEYONCE

Abstract

This paper discusses of the song Pretty Hurts by Beyoncé, through a feminist perspective, this song reflects social criticism of beauty standards that apply in society, especially for women. Through its deep lyrics, Pretty Hurts expresses the tension between the desire to fulfill beauty expectations and the negative impact this has on women's mental and emotional health. Applying feminism theory. This research uses discourse analysis to understand the meaning contained in the song, with a focus on how Beyoncé invites listeners to interpret social constructs regarding beauty and gender roles. Using qualitative methods, this research concludes that Pretty Hurts functions as a feminist narrative that encourages an aura of self from social emergence based on appearance. The results of the analysis show that this song is not just a criticism of the beauty industry, but also a call for women's empowerment and rejection of self-judgment based on physical appearance.