M.I.A., the British-Sri Lankan musician known for hits like “Paper Planes,” has alleged that Jay-Z allegedly encouraged her to consider plastic surgery during discussions about signing with Roc Nation. The claims surfaced during a recent interview, where M.I.A. opened up about her experiences navigating the music industry and the pressures she says were imposed on her.

According to M.I.A., the alleged suggestion came as part of a broader conversation about her image and brand when she was considering a deal with Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by Jay-Z. She claimed that during the meeting, she was allegedly told that undergoing cosmetic procedures would enhance her marketability as an artist.

M.I.A. said, describing the experience as shocking, did not let it shake her confidence. NME reports that M.I.A. has stated that the first thing that Jay-Z told her was the suggestion for cosmetic surgery. M.I.A. has since gone on record to say that any implications that her refusal to get plastic surgery made her “insecure” are false.

Jay-Z and Roc Nation have not responded to the allegations and it remains unclear if the suggestion came directly from Jay-Z himself or his representatives. The claims, however, have reignited conversations about the challenges faced by women in the music industry, particularly around unrealistic beauty standards and the pressure to conform to specific images.

The statement comes at a point in time that find Jay-Z’s name involved in a lawsuit with Sean “Diddy” Combs that claims the rapper was involved in an alleged sexual assault back in 2000. Fans and industry observers have taken to social media to weigh in, with many praising M.I.A. for speaking out. Others have called for a response from Roc Nation regarding the alleged incident.

As of now, these allegations remain unverified and no further details have been provided by M.I.A. or Roc Nation. The story continues to develop.