Can a Celebrity Ignite a Social Movement?

Blog Post
Written By Nicole Vasquez

Pamela Anderson's choice to go makeup-free in an era where images and videos are meticulously crafted for perfection, was a reminder to the world of what humans, particularly women, look like without makeup.

Beyond prompting a double-take at the sight of a celebrity without makeup, Pamela's bare-faced acts challenged the unrealistic and entrenched beauty standards imposed on women.

Her actions also highlighted the momentum celebrities can create given the size of their platforms and ability to make waves with the slightest out-of-the-norm action.

While I personally was thrilled to see Pamela’s ‘this is me, take it or leave it’ attitude, it left me wondering if a celebrity could truly ignite a social movement.

Furthermore, what can we learn from celebrities leveraging their platforms to drive change, or at least start a conversation about challenging the norm?

Searching For A Successful Celebrity-Inspired Movement

As a woman, I know how hard it would be for our society to change its expectations and allow women to go makeup free without judgment.

Knowing that uphill battle, I felt compelled to research the long-term effects of a celebrity dedicating their platform to make an impact.

One of the leading examples was Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL player who became a symbol of protest against racial injustice by kneeling during the American national anthem.

Kaepernick's decision sparked conversations in households, workplaces, and communities across the nation, demonstrating how one action can create a whirlwind of discussion quickly - though it should be noted that while widely discussed, his actions were seen as controversial due to the broad range of opinions regarding racial justice and America's historical narrative.

Controversy aside, Colin continues to be a prominent voice for social justice and racial equality through various activism projects. These include the founding of Know Your Rights Camp, and donating over $1 million to charities focused on homelessness, at-risk families, prison reform, reproductive rights, education, hunger, and more.

Colin has also partnered with notable companies like Ben & Jerry’s. Their whimsical launch of a Change The Whirled flavor in 2021 led to a list of impact just 2 years later. Those collaborative results included activations with community organizers across the US and a 6-episode series on Netflix.

Know Your Rights Camp lists 1,400+ people served across 10 cities, and the organization was a direct result of Colin Kaepernick's act of protest. It also demonstrates the ability for a celebrity to galvanize support for grassroots engagement. While Colin was not the first to advocate for racial justice, he can be acknowledged for boosting the movement's momentum.

Celebrity or Not, We Can Make A Difference

Change can start with a single act that triggers a ripple effect, inspiring others and rallying communities around a cause.

Yes, a bold move that challenges societal norms or an act of protest in front of a national audience can create significant waves.

However, even those of us who aren't celebrities can take small, consistent steps towards creating a wave of change that could sweep across societies.

The #MeToo movement was initiated by survivor and activist Tarana Burke in 2006. It didn't gain widespread attention until 2017, but during those 11 years in between Tarana and a group of community advocates steadily built up momentum for the movement.

This incremental approach to activism can be effective and underscores every contribution's importance, no matter how small, in building momentum for lasting change.

As I watch where Pamela Anderson's actions may lead, I'll wonder:

  • Will Pamela Anderson’s courage to go makeup-free at high-profile events encourage others to do the same?

  • Will it put pressure on media to change their unrealistic portrayal of people?

  • Will it shift the beauty industry’s focus from changing our appearance to embracing it?

It’s a complex and an uphill battle, but I’m eager to see where it leads.

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References

Nicole Vasquez
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