"It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real"
About this Quote
The intent is plainspoken, almost conversational, which is the point. Balvin isn’t trying to sound like a philosopher; he’s trying to sound like a person. “Perfect” is the language of brands and algorithms: flawless photos, spotless narratives, a life edited into something bingeable. “Real” is a claim to texture: anxiety, mistakes, bad days, the mess that can’t be smoothed without losing the human.
The subtext is also strategic. Authenticity is now a currency, especially in an era when audiences can smell PR varnish in a single caption. By positioning “real” as the goal, Balvin aligns himself with fans who are exhausted by performance-notes living. It’s reassurance, but it’s also positioning: I’m not selling you a pedestal; I’m standing next to you.
Context matters here: Balvin has been public about mental health and the pressures of visibility. In that light, the quote isn’t just self-help wallpaper. It’s a boundary. A reminder that survival in the attention economy sometimes means refusing the impossible standard that the attention economy demands.
Quote Details
| Topic | Honesty & Integrity |
|---|---|
| Source | J Balvin interviews about authenticity and public image (various) [translated] |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Balvin, J. (2026, February 4). It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/its-not-about-being-perfect-its-about-being-real-184891/
Chicago Style
Balvin, J. "It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real." FixQuotes. February 4, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/its-not-about-being-perfect-its-about-being-real-184891/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real." FixQuotes, 4 Feb. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/its-not-about-being-perfect-its-about-being-real-184891/. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.








