Alessia Cara Opens Up About the Meaning Behind Her Gorgeous VMA Performance

Alessia Cara performed her single “Scars to Your Beautiful” at the 2017 MTV VMAs Sunday and also accepted an award for the powerful song.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Alessia Cara

“I think it was such an amazing thing that they gave it to everybody, because I feel like everybody who speaks their truth… deserves to be recognized,” the 21-year-old singer told MTV.

“It’s important that we all speak up for certain things that we believe in and against certain things that we don’t. Thank you to all the artists who are doing that and using their privilege and using their platforms.”

Alessia also explained her decision to come out in an over-the-top outfit and strip down to simpler attire.

“I really wanted to make a personal statement this time, and start off with, ‘this is how everybody wants me to be, apparently,’ but that’s not me. This is who I am,” she said. “Just stripping down the layers and showing everyone that you can be successful and be at the VMAs just being yourself. And if yourself is wearing gowns like that, then do that. But if it’s not, then you don’t have to do that. That’s what I’m trying to show people.”

Watch her full performance below!