Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Miss Kansas (@missamericaks)

Beauty pageant contestants are often trained to give acute, graceful answers to the hosts' questions, reinforcing the poise they aim to convey. That's why when Alexis Smith, who was recently crowned Miss Kansas, spoke her truth, her message resonated with many people. After noticing her domestic violence abuser was in the audience, Smith called him out from the stage.

During the interview portion of the pageant, Smith was asked about her vision as the next Miss Kansas. “My vision as the next Miss Kansas is to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships,” Smith replied, addressing how she had felt throughout the evening. “Matter of fact, some of you in this audience saw me very emotional because my abuser is here today. But that’s not going to stop me from being on this Miss Kansas stage and from representing as the next Miss Kansas.”

Speaking to Good Morning America about that night, Smith said, “On the night of Miss Kansas, my journey took an unexpected turn when someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace. Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world. I took back my power—not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening.”

Smith, who works as a cardiothoracic intensive care nurse in Wichita, also shared that she had moved to Texas for a couple of years to escape from the abusive relationship. “My family, every single woman in my family, was impacted by domestic violence,” she told local television station KSN. “At the age of 14, I got in my first relationship, but it was also an abusive relationship that I was in until about 2018, 2019. It’s something that I’m still experiencing and dealing with today.”

Empowered by her win, she has now launched a community service initiative called Respect Reclaimed: Advocating for Healthy Relationships to encourage others to find support. “To everyone watching that has experienced domestic violence, you are strong, this is not your fault, and you have the ability to take the lead,” she says.

Smith will compete as Miss Kansas in the Miss America pageant in January 2025. In the meantime, you can follow Smith on Instagram to stay up to date with her Respect Reclaimed program and her ventures as Miss Kansas.

This is Alexis Smith, who was recently crowned Miss Kansas.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Miss Kansas Organization (@misskansasorg)

After noticing her domestic violence abuser was in the audience on the night she was crowned, Smith called him out from the stage.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Miss Kansas Organization (@misskansasorg)

Watch her empowering message below.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Miss Kansas (@missamericaks)

Alexis Smith: Instagram
h/t: [AP]

Related Articles:

Teen Creates an Online Shop That Secretly Helps Victims of Domestic Violence

Beyoncé and Blue Ivy Share an Empowering Mother-Daughter Moment on Stage During the Renaissance Tour

Colorful Flowers Used to Create Empowering Conceptual Self-Portraits

Illustrator Draws Empowering Comics for Women Reflecting Everyday Life Experiences

READ: Miss Kansas Courageously Calls Out Her Abuser on Public Stage, Launches Fight Against Domestic Violence

Education is a basic human right, but many children around the world don't have access to it. Luckily for the young people of Zambia, things changed a few years ago. In 2021, the government made schooling free for everyone. Since then, hoards of new students have gladly taken the chance earn an education and flocked to the country's classrooms. But this has also come with its own set of challenges.

After the implementation, 2 million additional children joined the educational system, with many more signing up every day. The free education includes primary and secondary school, which includes seven years for primary school, two years for junior secondary, and three years for senior secondary.

According to UNICEF, more children are now in school than ever before, and completion rates have increased at all levels in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, nine out of 10 children are unable to read and they only understand a simple story by the age of 10. This has been a key fact when preparing schools for the uptick of new students, as a disproportionate student-to-teacher ratio can impact the quality of the education, especially for those from low-income families.

Despite the setbacks, this initiative has improved the outlook for many who would otherwise not be able to afford an education. “I stopped going to school in 2016 when I was in grade four,” 18-year-old Mariana Chirwa told the BBC. “Without free education, I don’t know how my parents would have managed to take me back to school. They don’t work and just stay at home.”

Since the change, classrooms designed for 30 students have seen over 100 pupils. Many students show up early to guarantee they'll get a desk and most have to share a book with six or seven other students. “When I started in 2019, I had about 40 students, but now it’s around 100 plus, and that is just in one class,” says teacher Cleopatra Zulu, who admits that talking one-on-one and even grading has become a challenge.

To combat this, the government has launched mass production of desks, with mass infrastructure-building taking place to help lighten the load. There are also worries that government expenditure is estimated to double should all eligible students take up the offer of free education. Despite this, officials believe in education being the best economic policy. “This is a good problem,” says Education Minister Douglas Syakalima. “I’d rather let the children be in a congested classroom than in the street.”

In 2021, the government of Zambia made schooling free for everyone. Since then, millions of new students have gladly taken the chance to learn and flocked to the country's classrooms.

Despite the setbacks—like overcrowded classrooms–this initiative has improved the outlook for many who would otherwise not be able to afford an education.

Watch Education Minister Douglas Syakalima talk about how schools are constantly having to build new desks to accommodate the influx of students.

h/t: [BBC]

Related Articles:

Malawi’s First Female Chief Dedicates Her Career to Ending Child Marriage

Zambian Woman Creates Gorgeous Outfits Inspired by Traditional African Clothing

South African Tour Guide Demonstrates How Click Sounds Work in the Zulu Language

African Street Style and Global Subcultures Celebrated in Retrospective Photography Exhibition

READ: Zambia Made Education Free and Young People Have Flocked to Classrooms To Learn

Khan Palace. (Photo: UNITED24)

LEGO bricks have long inspired architecture fans to recreate their favorite buildings from around the world. And while popular monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and the Statute of Liberty are more common among builders, there are more obscure jewels worth being celebrated. UNITED24, a charitable organization raising money in support of Ukraine, has teamed up with LEGO builders from four countries to create models of five iconic Ukrainian landmarks for a project titled #UKRAINEinLEGObricks.

The buildings featured in this collection are the Golden Gate, Khan Palace, Pidhirtsi Castle, Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory. All of them are intricate works that showcase the unique styles and character of Ukrainian architecture. The LEGO creators in charge of these models are Eric Law and Mark Segedie from the U.S., Daniel Seidl from Germany, Maciej Kocot from Poland, and Alexander Yermolaev from Ukraine.

“Despite the fact that some of them had never been to Ukraine, everyone managed to recreate each of the five landmarks in great detail,” says Yaroslava Gres, UNITED24 coordinator. Thanks to the versatility of the building blocks, the creators were able to replicate some of the most interesting features of these landmarks, like the way sunlight bounces off the slanted roof of Khan Palace, or the ornate façade of Kyiv's Golden Gate.

While LEGO itself is not affiliated with this campaign, there is hope for those who'd like to have one of these models at home. The best part? It benefits a good cause. Rather than being sold directly, you can win one by making a $24 donation towards the reconstruction of a school in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, which was hit by a Russian missile on October 11, 2022. In total, 15 sets, three of each type, will be raffled off. You have until June 20, 224 to enter the drawing.

UNITED24, a charitable organization raising money in support of Ukraine, has teamed up with LEGO builders from four countries to create models of five iconic landmarks of Ukraine.

Golden Gate. (Photo: UNITED24)

The buildings featured in this collection are the Golden Gate, Khan Palace, Pidhirtsi Castle, Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory.

Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory. (Photo: UNITED24)

“Despite the fact that some of them had never been to Ukraine, everyone managed to recreate each of the five landmarks in great detail,” said Yaroslava Gres, UNITED24 Coordinator, in a statement.

Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. (Photo: UNITED24)

Rather than being sold directly, you can win one by making a $24 donation towards the reconstruction of a school.

Pidhirtsi Castle. (Photo: UNITED24)

UNITED24: Website

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by UNITED24.

Related Articles:

Ukraine Releases Banksy Mural Stamp To Mark One Year Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion

82-Year-Old Retired Doctor Uses Life Savings To Buy Ambulance for Ukraine

Miss Ukraine Unveils Amazing “Warrior of Light” Costume for Miss Universe

LEGO Unveils a 2,125-Piece Architecture Set of Japan’s Iconic Himeji Castle

READ: Artists Build Ukraine’s Most Beautiful Landmarks With LEGO Bricks for Charity

Photo: TIRLIKK/Depositphotos

It costs the average American with insurance coverage around $2,854 to give birth. Without insurance, the cost skyrockets to $18,865. Labor is just the beginning of expenses that add up when raising a child. In fact, diapers are one of the biggest expenses for parents. For at least the first 24 months of a child's life, parents will spend around $80 a month to keep their bundles of joy happy and healthy. Luckily, for parents in Tennessee, help is on its way.

Federal funding was just approved for families enrolled in TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, to receive 100 diapers a month for children under 2, starting in August 2024. They've also increased the maximum income level to be eligible for TennCare, meaning more families will be able to use the program. While other states have provided funding to diaper banks, Tennessee will be the first in the nation to directly provide the supplies to the 53% of children in the state who rely on TennCare coverage for insurance.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, half of the nation's parents struggle to buy adequate diapers. A short supply can lead to rashes and infections for the baby and depression for the parents. It also impacts the parents' ability to work. Without enough diapers, daycare programs will refuse to accept children for the day. This led to 25% of American parents with unmet diaper needs having to take an average of five days off of work last month since they had no childcare options.

While the 100 diapers will only cover a third of what young babies typically go through in a month, this is a positive step in a state that often refuses other government funded social programs. This law is a rarity, as well, for having the approval from both sides of the political aisle. Hopefully it will inspire more states to provide much needed resources to families in need. Besides Tennessee's diaper decree, Delaware has also approved providing 80 diapers a week for the first three months of an infant's life.

While these programs will help out the increasing number of families that are having trouble meeting their needs with low wages and high cost of living, diaper banks will still be needed to offset the gap between government provisions and the need for diapers. These government-run programs, though, will help parents rest easier and, maybe even get that elusive full night's worth of sleep.

New government funding will provide low-income families with diapers for babies and toddlers in Tennessee and then Delaware as well.

Photo: LABOKO/Depositphotos

h/t: [Scripps News]

Related Articles:

One Man Is Increasing Wheelchair Accessibility in Iceland a Ramp at a Time

First Florida Newborn Is Surrendered To Only Life-Saving ‘Safe Haven Baby Boxes’

Woman on Airplane Quickly Crochets Beanie for Baby Watching Her Needlework During Flight

Tara Lipinski Shares Adorable Photos of Her Baby Dressed Up as Her at the 1998 Olympics

READ: Tennessee Will Become First U.S. State to Supply Parents With Free Diapers

@tomgilbeywine AND WE’VE ONLY DONE A VIDEO … 26.2 miles 25 wines tasted blind 7 fully correct, 4 wrong & 14 mostly right Over £10k raised for @sobell.house Donation link still open in Bio …. BIG FAT THANK YOU ❤️ #londonmarathon #marathon #blindtasting #tomgilbey ♬ original sound – Tom Gilbey

The best vintners can tell you the region, grape variety, and year of production of a specific wine just from a sniff and a little sip. But can they also do it while running a marathon? Wine merchant Tom Gilbey put his skills to the test for a good cause. As the expert ran the London Marathon, he stopped at various points to taste 25 wine samples and guess at their origins.

Gilbey has made a name for himself on TikTok, where he shares his knowledge and advice on wine, earning the nickname of “the wine guy.” Ahead of the London Marathon, he announced he would be running to raise money for Sobell House, the hospice charity that looked after his mother in her final days of life. Gilbey had an original target of £2,000 ($2,488), but once his video running and blind-tasting wines went viral, donations soared, and his fundraiser has now passed £17,000 ($21,136).

The wine connoisseur chronicled his effort in one video. The premise was simple: he'd run the marathon and stop every mile to sample a wine. Ready for the adventure, he ran with two glasses attached to his fanny pack: one for the reds and one for the whites. Gilbey tasted wines from all over the world, from Chile to South Africa, from Australia to Spain with many coming from gas stations and mini bottles. Out of the 25 wines he blind tasted, he got seven completely right, four wrong, and 14 mostly right, as he did guess some of the details.

Due to his wine stops, Gilbey ended up completing the race in four hours and 41 minutes. Overall, he described the marathon as going “really well,” saying that he was spurred to run by the prospect of having a little wine at the end of each mile. To avoid getting too drunk to run, he only had small sips of wine or simply spat it out after tasting. “I think the pain of the running allowed me to not feel anything other than the urge to finish. I think it’s a great way to stay sober,” he told The Guardian.

“It’s my first experience of this going absolutely mad, and I feel very honored,” he concluded after celebrating the finish with a glass of champagne. Although he wouldn't go through it again, he would recommend others to undergo a similar crazy task.

Gilbey said, “I think in life, sometimes you get a silly idea that resonates but two silly ideas rarely resonate, so I’d encourage everybody to have a silly idea for a good cause and see what happens.”

Vintner Tom Gilbey has made a name for himself on TikTok, where he shares his knowledge and advice on wine–earning the nickname of “the wine guy.”

@tomgilbeywine BATTLE OF THE BIG GUNS – Oh no, here I go again, having a go on the 2nd biggest wine brand in the world. Yes or No? ⁠ ⁠ Tasting Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #redwine #cabernetsauvignon #luxury #finewine #tomgilbey #recommendation #supermarket #winetok #wine #help #winelovers #winetime #chile #chileanwine ♬ original sound – Tom Gilbey

The expert recently ran the London Marathon, stopping to taste 25 wine samples throughout the race and take a guess at their origins to raise money for a hospice.

@tomgilbeywine10 DAYS UNTIL MARATHON MADNESS. I’m raising money for Sobell House Hospice blind tasting a wine every mile & trying to guess the country, grape and vintage for 26 wines. Silly enough? Please support in anyway you can – messages, emojis & through the link in bio♬ original sound – Tom Gilbey

Tom Gilbey: Website | TikTok
h/t: [The Guardian]

Related Articles:

Archaeologists Have Determined What Ancient Roman Wine Tasted Like

5,000-Year-Old Unopened Wine Jars Found in Queen’s Tomb

Unopened Bottles of Wine Discovered on a Royal Ship 340 Years After It Sank

Jasmin Paris Becomes First Woman to Ever Complete Barkley Marathons’ 100-Mile Race

READ: Man Blind Tastes 25 Wines While Running the London Marathon for a Good Cause

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Climbing Gold (@climbinggold)

From scaling the seemingly insurmountable El Capitan overlooking the lush forest of Yosemite to climbing the 3,750-foot Ingmikortilaq in Greenland, rock climber Alex Honnold is no stranger to embracing and conquering elevated peaks in nature. Known for his free-solo style climbing—documented in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo—Honnold works to overcome physical and mental adversities that inevitably occur during climbs. As someone who has experienced some of the most magnificent natural marvels of the world firsthand, Honnold is also a nature lover who plays his part in environmental conservation. The California native has established a philanthropic organization, Honnold Foundation, that encourages the use of solar power.

For Honnold, spreading the benefits of solar power is about more than just clean energy. It is an environmentally conscious alternative to fossil fuels, but it is also something that has the ability to enhance a sense of community and embolden marginalized communities to take back power (literally and figuratively). The charitable institution provides fair access to reliable solar energy resources to places such as Puerto Rico, areas of the Amazon, Kenya, and the United States. The application of clean energy also creates opportunities for members of each respective community to be involved in the installation and maintenance of the energy resources. The Honnold Foundation trains locals on the use and maintenance of the solar energy equipment. This establishes a way for the community to continue to flourish, even after the energy resource is established.

One particular Honnold Foundation project based in Puerto Rico heavily involves a local group called Casa Pueblo, who worked together to construct a microgrid. Having this local group involved in such an instrumental way presents a collaborative experience and its impact on the community. Another noteworthy philanthropic venture of the Honnold Foundation is located in Memphis, Tennessee. The goal of this particular project is to provide alternative energy resources to lower the amount that people in the area spend on energy bills.

“Many communities [the Honnold Foundation] partners with report infringements on their sovereignty through infrastructural, economic, social, and environmental injustices,” the organizations states. “That's why our Core Fund partnerships are unrestricted, ‘no-strings-attached'—giving the space for our Partners to use the funding as a resource to build forms of sovereignty, and development by and for them. Where historically energy systems were a means of disenfranchisement, here, energy becomes a tool of empowerment. So while solar often starts with facilitating energy access, when placed in the hands of innovative community experts, it's so much more! Equitable solar energy access is a leverage point for communities to cultivate local power and self-governance.”

At the heart of what Honnold is working towards lies a desire to provide alternative solutions to energy access while sparking a sense of personal power, joy, and togetherness amongst people he encounters. The Honnold Foundation continuously reaches new heights and inspires people to prioritize ways to help one another gain access to reliable resources.

Free solo climber Alex Honnold is probably best known for his incredible, athletic feats…

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alex Honnold (@alexhonnold)

…which have even been highlighted in an Oscar-winning documentary aptly titled Free Solo.

But now he is reaching new heights with his charity called Honnold Foundation.

The Honnold Foundation prioritizes the involvement of locals to implement reliable solar energy.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Honnold Foundation (@honnoldfoundation)

Each project typically involves two major pieces of equipment—a solar microgrid and an off-grid solar rooftop.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Honnold Foundation (@honnoldfoundation)

Both of these solar grids capture and store energy from the Sun and turn that into electricity.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Honnold Foundation (@honnoldfoundation)

Honnold Foundation continues to enhance human connection around the world through solar energy.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Honnold Foundation (@honnoldfoundation)

Honnold Foundation: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Alex Honnold: Instagram
h/t: [Canary Media]

Related Articles:

Over 600,000 Solar Panels Powered Super Bowl LVIII in Historic Green Milestone

The IEA Announces Solar Power Is Now the Cheapest Form of Energy

Researchers Developed a Solar Panel That Continues To Gather Energy Once the Sun Sets

READ: Inspiring Free Solo Climber’s Charity Provides Solar Power to Communities in Need

I missed the #Oscars2024
This is how some of the artists' community members done in solidarity with people of #Gaza (on first day of #Ramadan , they spent five months of forcibly fasting).#Artists4Ceasefire #Oscars pic.twitter.com/IaH5T0FCwY

— Fadi Al-Qadi (@fqadi) March 11, 2024

On Oscar night, aside from celebrating the winners, most people are eyeing the fashion worn by celebrities. And anyone with a keen eye might have spotted several of them sporting a red pin. This pin, which also features the black outline of an orange hand with a heart, is part of the Artists4Ceasefire initiative.

Created by a collective of artists and advocates, Artists4Ceasefire uses the platforms of musicians, actors, and other creators to call for a ceasefire in the conflict between Palestine and Israel. In October 2023, the organization sent an open letter to President Biden asking him and members of the U.S. Congress to call for de-escalation and cease-fire in Gaza and Israel.

According to news sources, more than 400 artists have signed onto the initiative, including Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Ava DuVernay, and America Ferrara.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ramy youssef (@ramy)

The pin was designed to promote the organization's motto that people need to lead with love. According to its website, “The orange hand conveys the beautiful community of people from all backgrounds that have come together in support of centering our shared humanity. The heart being cradled in the center of the hand is an invitation for us to lead with our hearts, always, to lead with love.”

#PoorThings star Ramy Youssef talks to THR about his Artists4Ceasefire pin while on the red carpet at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/ACzHyd7xnm

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 10, 2024

Actor Ramy Youssef, who stars in Poor Things, discussed the meaning behind the pin with The Hollywood Reporter while on the red carpet.

“We have so many artists here tonight wearing it,” Youssef shared. “We’re all calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We’re calling for the safety of everyone involved.”

This isn't the first time that celebrities have adorned the Artists4Ceasefire pin for an important event. Members of Boygenius wore the pins during February's Grammys, an evening that saw them win four awards. Singer Annie Lennox also mentioned Artists4Ceasefire at the end of her moving tribute to Sinéad O'Connor.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mark Ruffalo (@markruffalo)

Artists4Ceasefire: Website | 
h/t: [ABC Action News]

Related Articles:

Clay Sculptures in Gaza Depict the Suffering and Displacement of War

Banksy Goes Undercover in Gaza, Releases New Works and Eye-Opening Video

Pete Davidson Opens Season 49 of ‘SNL’ By Talking About the Israel-Hamas War

READ: Here’s Why Many Celebrities Wore Red Pins to the 2024 Oscars

Photo courtesy of the Sundance Institute

Comedian Will Ferrell and his friend of 30 years, Harper Steele, are getting high praise for their road trip documentary Will & Harper. Currently, the film is at the Sundance Film Festival seeking distribution, and the duo has been chatting with journalists about their friendship journey, which started back on Saturday Night Live and was only strengthened several years ago when Steele revealed that she was transitioning.

Ferrell and Steele both joined SNL back in 1995; Ferrell was a new cast member, and Steele was in the writing room. They quickly became friends and collaborated on material that played to their quirky sensibilities long after Ferrell left the show.  “If you’ve ever scratched your head and said, ‘Why did Will Ferrell make that?'” Ferrell shared, “there’s a good chance that [she] was involved.”

Shortly after the pandemic, Steele sent out an email titled “Here's a Weird One,” to let her circle of friends know that she was transgender. Ferrell was immediately supportive but also recognized that he had a lot to learn. So he suggested to his friend, who loves road trips, that they set out together on a 17-day voyage across the U.S. Luckily for us, they brought cameras.

The result, Will & Harper, is being hailed as a film that will save lives and it received a standing ovation during its Sundance premiere that left Ferrell with tears in his eyes. What makes the film so special is that it shows two friends willing to grow together and learn from each other. Steele was worried that Ferrell would view her differently now and that their friendship dynamic might change. Ferrell wanted to reassure his friend that he supported her but also wanted to be able to ask questions.

Photo courtesy of the Sundance Institute

When asked during a Variety event about how much knowledge he had of the trans community at the time, Ferrell was quite honest.

“Baseline knowledge? Zero,” he answered. “I know I'd met trans people before, but I didn’t have anyone personally in my life, so this was all new territory for me, which is why I think this piece is so exciting for us to kind of put out there in the world. Because I think it’s a chance for all of us in the cis community to be able to ask questions that—I know for me it was a chance to ask questions. And also, just to listen and be there as a friend to discuss this journey.”

It's clear that the public agrees, with responses to Ferrell's comments pouring in on X, formerly Twitter. People were quick to praise his willingness to not only admit his ignorance, but to learn, particularly as his questions were rooted in kindness and love. Others applauded the actor using his star power to shine a light on trans issues, and hoped that it would be a positive example of others in positions of power.

With the positive feedback Will & Harper has received, here's hoping that it will get picked up for wider distribution so that even more people can learn from—and laugh along with—Ferrell and Steele's heartwarming friendship.

Will & Harper is a heartwarming documentary that follows comedian Will Ferrell and his close friend Harper Steele on a road trip shortly after Steele opened up to her friend about transitioning.

Photo courtesy of the Sundance Institute

Photo courtesy of the Sundance Institute

Will Ferrell is being lauded for his honesty in admitting his ignorance about the trans community, but his willingness to grow.

I love this because he's showing it's ok to admit ignorance if it comes with being willing to learn. Did not have Will Farrell unexpected Trans advocate on my bingo card but isn't it nice to be pleasantly surprised for once too? https://t.co/hxNzS7PWl5

— Dr Emily Garside (@EmiGarside) January 23, 2024

Something I love about what Will Ferrell is doing here is not just being an ally as best he knows how, but admitting that he didn't have any knowledge and expressing a willingness and desire to learn as a friend.
It's nice to see a bit of good news rooted in kindness. https://t.co/xaHxi9uVrS

— Ianus J. Wolf (@IanusJWolf) January 24, 2024

This is so heart warming. We need more big allies like this that are willing to learn and use their platforms to educate https://t.co/oLf0eFqLUl

— Mike (They/Them) (@_MxMike) January 23, 2024

See the full interview from the Variety event at the Sundance Film Festival, where the film is seeking distribution.

h/t: [BuzzFeed]

Related Articles:

Amy Schneider Becomes Jeopardy’s First Female Millionaire

Dad Takes Toddler Son for a Mani-Pedi After Teacher Says Nail Polish Is “Only for Girls”

Actor Elliot Page Announces He Is Transgender in Powerfully Vulnerable Statement of Joy

Trans Model Wears Stunning Couture Dress Made From Flags of Countries That Ban Homosexuality

READ: People Are Praising Will Ferrell for Celebrating His Close Friend’s Transition in Road Trip Documentary

Photo: arp/Depositphotos

The red carpet is often a space for celebrities to present utmost glamour. And while this usually means high couture, it is also expected for women to show up with a full face of makeup. Recently, Pamela Anderson decided to subvert this assumption, attending upscale events with a makeup-free look. In doing so, the 56-year-old actress sent an inspiring message to women from all walks of life.

Her latest makeup-free appearance took place at the 2023 Fashion Awards Red Carpet, where she donned an an all-white ensemble with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. With these fashion choices, her natural look took center stage.

This comes a few months after Anderson debuted her no-makeup look at the high-stakes Paris Fashion Week. “I don't know, something just kind of came over me, and I was dressing in these beautiful clothes, and I thought, ‘I don't want to compete with the clothes. I'm not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room.' I feel like it's just freedom. It's a release,” she said in an interview with Vogue.

While going to that first event with no make up on made her a little uneasy, the feeling rapidly faded. “It felt a bit like jumping off a bridge, but I just smiled. And when I got home from the show, that’s when I decided I wanted to go makeup free the entire week,” she said. Her choice was then praised by other celebrities, like Jamie Lee Curtis, who wrote, “This woman showed up and claimed her seat at the table with nothing on her face. I am so impressed and floored by this act of courage and rebellion.”

As if challenging this wasn't tough on its own, Anderson is aware that her age would put extra scrutiny on her. “I feel as a woman and a woman of my age, and a woman in the public eye… it's also your job to be a model of everything. Just all sorts of choices. So I am just being me, kind of who I am, in all these great clothes running around Paris,” she added.

For all the constant messaging on social media about how women are supposed to look and  what they are expected to do to achieve that, Anderson's message is not only inspiring, but also liberating. “I know I wasn’t making strides toward world peace, but I was making a statement,” Anderson noted in an interview. “I just thought, ‘I’m doing this for all the girls out there.’ I’ve had stepdaughters in past relationships and my sons have girlfriends, and this was for them. In this day and age, do we even know what a face looks like anymore? This is it.”

Pamela Anderson has been challenging expectations by attending upscale events and red carpets with a makeup-free look.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pamela Anderson (@pamelaanderson)

Her latest makeup-free appearance took place at the 2023 Fashion Awards Red Carpet, where she donned an an all-white ensemble with her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Harper's Bazaar Nederland (@harpersbazaarnl)

“I thought, ‘I don't want to compete with the clothes. I'm not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room.’ I feel like it’s just freedom. It’s a release.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pamela Anderson (@pamelaanderson)

Pamela Anderson: Instagram
h/t: [People]

Related Articles:

Miss London 2023 Wins the First-Ever “Makeup-Free” Beauty Pageant

Millie Bobby Brown’s Fiancé Jake Bongiovi Does Her Makeup With Hilarious Results

Miss England Finalist Competes Makeup-Free Making Her the First in Pageant’s History

Makeup Artist Transforms Her Face into Unreal Illusions

READ: Pamela Anderson Champions a No-Makeup Look in Her Red Carpet Appearances

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

Greenland is the largest island in the world. Yet, despite its prominent presence on the world map, most people know very little about its culture and the people who call this remote place home. This inspired a Greenlandic woman named Qupanuk to share and teach the world about life in Greenland through a series of insightful videos. Her channel, Q's Greenland, is a one-stop-shop to know everything about the country, from its traditional food to its unique language.

While many associate Greenland with remoteness and frigid temperatures, Qupanuk—or Q, as she is known—always takes the time to note that “life is amazing” there in her videos. On top of posting every day about what makes Greenland such a unique place, she is the country's first and only mining engineer and mother of four. Originally from Qaqortoq, in Southern Greenland, she currently lives Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland, which has a population of under 20,000.

Her channel's name, Q's Greenland, is a reference to the fact that we're only seeing Greenland through her eyes. Even so, Q's deep understanding of the country and her charming personality make her the perfect teacher of this lesser-known place. She addresses all kinds of topics through her content, ranging from how hot summers get, to how much it costs to go grocery shopping there.

Although Greenland appears very remote, Q also highlights the ways it is connected to the rest of the world.  For example, she addresses what it means for her to hold Danish citizenship–as Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Additionally, she explains what it is like to have a front-row seat to the effects of climate change, as global warming has made the weather of Greenland much more unpredictable.

Whether it is a tour around Nuuk's tallest buildings—which are only 12 stories tall!— or a quick Greenlandic lesson, Q has painted a compelling picture of the most fascinating aspects of her home, becoming almost like an ambassador of the country to the rest of the world. To stay up to date with her videos and learn even more about this interesting country, follow Q's Greenland on Instagram and TikTok.

This is Qupanuk, a woman who teaches the world about life in Greenland through a series of short, insightful videos.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

Her channel, Q's Greenland, is a one-stop-shop to know everything about Greenland, from its traditional food to its unique language.

Photo: mady70/Depositphotos

Q addresses all kinds of topics, like how hot summers get in the country, how much it costs to go grocery shopping there, and how the Greenlandic flag came to be.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

Her channel's name, Q's Greenland, is a reference to the fact that we're only seeing Greenland through her eyes.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

However, her deep understanding of the country and her charming personality make her the perfect teacher of this lesser-known place.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

On top of posting every day about what makes Greenland such a unique place, she is Greenland's first and only mining engineer and mother of four.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

While many associate Greenland with remoteness and frigid temperatures, Q always takes the time to note that “life is amazing” there in her videos.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

Q paints a fascinating picture of her home, becoming almost like an ambassador of Greenland to the rest of the world.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Q’s Greenland (@qsgreenland)

Q's Greenland: Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
h/t: [Reddit]

Related Articles:

Photographer Explores Icebergs and Village Life on Greenland’s Iconic Disko Bay

Crystalline Glass Pavilion Camouflages Into Serene Greenland Landscape

Photographer Chronicles Greenland’s Changing Landscape During Annual Trips [Interview]

Stunning Photos Give Unique Perspective of Greenland’s Icebergs Underwater

READ: Greenlandic YouTuber Teaches the World About Greenland’s Culture and People in Insightful Series of Videos