What happened to my childhood? “The Amanda Show?” “Hannah Montana?” These were the girls I grew up watching and idolizing. I would be lying if I said I did not memorize the entire dance to Miley Cyrus’ “Hoedown Throwdown” in eighth grade or watch Amanda Bynes tear up the soccer field in “She’s the Man.” Every young girl needs a role model to obsess over as she finds an identity of her own.
As a college freshman, I think I need a role model now more than ever. I know I could use somebody to look up to who isn’t twerking on Robin Thicke at the VMAs or throwing bongs out her window. As entertaining as these teenage train wrecks are, I think we should want better for ourselves. We make so many decisions in college that can truly affect our lives. So, I decided to look for new role models in the entertainment industry to look up to:
Emma Watson
I first fell in love with her, along with every teenage boy, when she portrayed the brainy and brave Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” movies. Much like her character in the wizard series, Watson is an extremely intelligent and inspiring individual. She first saw the limelight when she was nine years old and did not end up on the front of a tabloid doing drugs or receiving DUIs. Watson has become a role model for young girls by demonstrating that it is important to be intelligent.
What makes her so great?
After filming “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” she attended Brown University and lived on campus, rooming with a complete stranger. She has created a fashion line called People Tree that uses organic material in all of its products.
Jennifer Lawrence
She first made her name when she was 16 on “The Bill Engvall Show,” but I didn’t discover her until she portrayed the fearless heroine Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games.” Lawrence has redefined Hollywood’s body standards by staying curvy for roles rather than starving herself. She sets an example for young girls everywhere that being beautiful is not based on your waist size.
What makes her so great?
In order to pursue her acting career, Jennifer Lawrence finished high school with a 3.9 GPA … two years early. When asked how she stays humble, Lawrence answered, “Why would I ever get cocky? I’m not saving anybody’s life. There are doctors who save lives and firemen who run into burning buildings. I’m making movies. It’s stupid.”
So ladies, listen up. Be better than your old role models. Next time you feel self-conscious about raising your hand in class or gaining another pound, channel your inner Emma Watson or Jennifer Lawrence. Be brave, be fierce and, most importantly, be you.