Month: April 2023

Gabrielle Union

GABRIELLE UNION

“If you lead with all the things you got wrong and possess humility and an openness to learn, you’d be surprised by how you can fix things. You can shape-shift midstream. I think a lot of times parents are kind of hesitant to admit mistakes and apologize. We’ve been apologizing for a long time for all sorts of things with the kids, and so now we’re just like, ‘We’re trying to get it right.’ And by all means if we get it wrong, we want them to let us know loud and clear. We’re the poster parents for committing to learning. Your true power is what’s within you, and it’s up to you to unlock it. We try to lead them in a direction where they can see themselves most accurately. The good, bad and ugly. And to find their own truth. And when you find your own truth and you live it, you unlock your power.” People Magazine

Amanda Gorman

AMANDA GORMAN

“Having a speech impediment forced me to think creatively about the ways I was going to communicate onstage. It wasn’t enough to just rely on my orality. I had to siphon other instruments. So if I wasn’t pronouncing a word ‘correctly’ because of my speech impediment, people might be able to look at my hands and say, ‘Oh, she’s saying running because she’s making a motion with her index and middle fingers.” ALLURE

Michelle Obama

MICHELLE OBAMA

“There are societal signals all around us telling us that there is something wrong with some parts of us. I thought about what are the messages that I’m giving myself, and how do I light up for myself? So today when I’m looking at the mirror, I still see what’s wrong, but I try to push those thoughts out and say, ‘Wow, you are healthy. Look at your skin, your smile.’ I try to start my day a little more kind.” People Magazine

Winnie Harlow

WINNIE HARLOW

Harlow was bullied and tormented by classmates over her appearance.

“Growing up, I never saw anyone like me on TV, billboards or on the runways. I felt like I was the only person in the world like me.”

Things began to shift in her teens when a friend, journalist Shannon Boodram, encouraged her to pursue modeling.

“She used to photograph me a lot, but I never took it seriously. The more I did it, the more of a following I gained on social media. I was getting a lot of love and support and people telling me that I inspired them. So I was like, ‘If doing this thing that’s just fun for me is inspiring people, then it’s a win-win.” People Magazine

Zachary Levi

ZACHARY LEVI

“If I do nothing else in this world, I want people to understand that they are loved, that they are worthy of love, and that they are worthy of investing in themselves. The truth is, we’re all messed up. But it doesn’t mean that we’re broken beyond repair. It just means that we all have healing that we need to do.” People Magazine

Melanie C

MELANIE C
“I’m no longer trying to be perfect. I was living my wildest dreams. But inside I was hurting. I was photographed and commented on constantly. I’d always been pretty confident, but it was a knock to my self-esteem. So much of my life was out of control. So I controlled my eating, my exercise everything I possibly could. I felt like I had to make myself perfect to really deserve all of this wonderful success. I didn’t realize I had depression. It was such a relief knowing it had a name; I can be helped and I can get better. I don’t really like to take pharmaceuticals, and I would go, ‘Oh my God, I’m taking antidepressants’. But there have been low times when they’ve really helped me.” People Magazine

Selena Gomez

SELENA GOMEZ

“After years of going through a lot of different things, I realized that I was bipolar. I wanted to know everything about it and it took the fear away. I have always had so many different emotions and I didn’t know how to control them quite well. It was complicated. But I think I’m happy to understand it. Once I did find out more about who I was, I was proud. I also felt comfortable knowing that I wasn’t alone, and I was going to get through it. So I will always be passionate about that. It’s something I will continue to talk about.”

To create a healthier headspace, Selena limits her media intake. She doesn’t read comments, she doesn’t post on TikTok, and she definitely does not google herself.

“Oh, God! I haven’t done that in years, I honestly can’t. I’m strong in a lot of ways, but I think I just have way too much of a sensitive heart.” ALLURE