What’s Next For the Breakout Stars of the Inauguration?

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Amanda Gorman is a star.

It’s only been about a week since she graced the stage at President Biden’s inauguration, reciting her original poem, “The Hill We Climb,” to a captivated audience. The Los Angeles native was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate, and at 22, she is the youngest person to ever read at a Presidential Inauguration in US History.

Gorman’s words gripped the hearts of millions across the country, her following skyrocketing from 7,000 followers to an impressive 1.4 million in a matter of hours. She’s spoken with Anderson Cooper on CNN and mingled with the Obamas. Oprah even gifted Gorman a caged ring to wear on inauguration day, a reference to fellow inaugural poet Maya Angelou’s poem, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.”

In just a few days, Gorman has done more than many will do in a lifetime. She’s spoken to her idols and heard her own words echoing near and far, her message is being praised by leaders worldwide. What’s left for her? The answer is; so much more.

Gorman has recently signed to IMG Models, one of the foremost modeling agencies today. The agency will help Gorman secure brand deals and editorial opportunities, and we can’t wait to see what cover she’ll end up on next.

Maybe it’s no wonder she signed to IMG. Gorman has become a fashion icon, her bright yellow Prada coat and ruby red headband she wore atop her twists were nothing short of cool. But the significance of a darker-skinned black woman with natural hair being signed to a top modeling agency can’t be overlooked. Gorman is undeniably gorgeous. And the sad truth of this special moment is that too often people who look like Gorman do not get a platform to share their beauty. Beauty standards are stubborn and resistant to change, making instances like this especially meaningful.

Here is the light that shines through that Gorman was speaking about, another hill we have to climb in order to celebrate beauty in all of its splendor. People need to see reflections of themselves in poets at inaugurations and in models, too.

Gorman is taking up space in every direction. Yes, you can write moving words and also dress fabulously and maybe talk about your skincare routine on the pages of a magazine. You can be wickedly smart and poised and serve looks with an agency like IMG.

It should be noted that Gorman isn’t the only fashion icon that emerged from the 46th Presidential Inauguration. Second Daughter Ella Emhoff, a senior at New York City’s Parsons School of Design, made a splash in Thom Browne with a Miu Miu coat.

Following the news of Goreman signing with the prestigious agency, it was announced that Emhoff has also landed a contract with IMG Models, her following growing exponentially in the last few days since the Inauguration. Her Instagram exudes a Gen Z, hand-knit, colorful coolness that the IMG president Ivan Hays thinks is indicative of the times. Oh, and she’s covered in stick and poke tattoos, with all of their danger and allure.

There is no one category for Gorman and Emhoff because they’re blazing their own trail. As they explore opportunities, their path is unfolding for all of us to see. Can you believe it’s only been a week? And since Inauguration, every day must surely bring the women something new.

Maybe if we closely look at our own lives, this will also be true. We can hope.

Gorman wrote, “When the day comes we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid.”

Gorman and Emhoff too have stepped out of the shadows, on fire, and we wish them nothing less for all the days to come.


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createdAt:Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:40:36 +0000
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