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Creativity Quote by J Balvin

"It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real"

About this Quote

J Balvin’s line works because it flips the usual celebrity contract. Pop stardom runs on polish: the cleaned-up image, the curated chaos, the “effortless” look that takes a team. “It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real” is a small act of rebellion against that machinery, and it lands precisely because it comes from someone who benefits from it.

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

TopicHonesty & Integrity
SourceJ 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.

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Its Not About Being Perfect; Its About Being Real - J Balvin
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About the Author

J Balvin

J Balvin (born May 7, 1985) is a Musician from Colombia.

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