From banning skinny models in France to Caitlyn Jenner on the cover of Vanity Fair, there’s no denying that millennials are redefining the definition of beauty. Seeing people challenge viewpoints that have been instilled in our minds (like watching Lauren Conrad bans body shaming on her website,) there’s no doubt in my mind that our world as we know it is about to change.
Celebrities around the world are using their voice to inspire a new generation; one that is not afraid to be themselves and make a difference .
Here are 6 celebrities that will either have your eyes rolling, or saying, “I want to be you one day”:
1. Carmen Dell’Orefice
Whoever says beauty has an age never met the fierce Carmen Dell’Orefice, the world’s oldest supermodel. There’s no doubt that the process of aging is one to be excited about. The time of refusing to plan a birthday party or lying about your age is slowly coming to an end as we’ve come to realization that getting older isn’t scary. Getting wiser doesn’t mean you can’t continue doing crazy sh*t. There’s no better leading woman than 83-year-old model Carmen Dell’Orefice who appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Thailand and is considered the “oldest working model”.
- Robyn Lawley
Does #DropThePlus ring a bell? There was time in my life (and probably everyone’s life) that I believed you needed to be a size 0 to be considered beautiful. Luckily, I’ve came to my senses that this couldn’t be farther from the truth. And there is no better spokesperson for this than supermodel Robin Lawley. The Australian Model, who’s 6’2 and a size 12, booked major magazine covers and is the first “plus-size” model to be shot for a number of magazines. The model doesn’t consider herself a plus-size at all as she states “I just consider myself a model because I’m trying to help women accept their bodies.“ Don’t believe me? Check her out on Marie Claire!
3. Jillian Mercado
Next on the list is no other than Jillian Mercado who you may have already seen strikingly beautiful in Diesel’s “We are Connected” campaign. This 26-year-old New Yorker may be suffering from muscular dystrophy, but this doesn’t stop her from becoming a true inspiration around the globe. “There was a time where I compared myself to people around me…Too soon I realized that I was living a lie,” Mercado said. “We must stop looking for guidance on how to be beautiful because we can be our own compasses.”
- Winnie Harlow
Watching your favorite show on Netflix wouldn’t be the same without the continuous disruption of commercials promoting “the next miracle” in curing acne. Question is, does flawless skin make you gorgeous? If your answer is yes, you may want to check out Winnie Harlow. 20-year-old Winnie Harlow, who suffers from the Pigmentation Disorder Vitiligo, is currently the face of Spanish fashion label, Desigual. After being bullied her entire life, the model posted a video on YouTube in 2011 where she spoke out about her disease and shortly after became a contestant for America’s next top model. There’s no doubt that this superstar is just beginning her career as you’ll soon see her in Diesel’s spring/summer 2015 ads, which aim to promote “tolerance, equality, and unconditional love.” If only we all could look this happy.
- Demi Lovato
From her struggle with Bulimia and posing without any makeup to finally putting an end to our obsession with thigh gaps, Demi Lovato is one of the most talented and inspirational voices we can all relate to. Partnering up with the Jed Foundation for the Love Is Louder Than the Pressure to be Perfect Campaign, she calls out everyone to embrace their flaws. After all, we’re only human!
- Caitlyn Jenner
This list wouldn’t be complete without Caitlyn Jenner. Her Vanity Fair cover was all over your social media platforms as she took a stand against our common standards of beauty. This inspirational story is definitely one to remember!
No matter if you were rolling your eyes or applauded them, there’s no denying they show us that the key to success is confidence. No one was born perfect, and unless you are Barbie and Ken, we all have our flaws. The question is, are you going to let it stop you? Or are you going to embrace them?
Either way, the choice is yours.
Featured image via Roberto Hund on Pexels
