Publications
Partners
Olay recently launched their #FaceAnything campaign in which they featured nine women they dubbed the 'Fearless 9'. According to The Cut, the campaign features names such as Youtuber Lily Singh and Olympic gymnast Ally Raisman "to fight the fact that women are often labelled “too” something, such as “too emotional,” “too outspoken..."
According to HelloGiggles Olay's #FaceAnything campaign was inspired by the difficulties "women face trying to be their authentic selves under the weight of society’s conflicting expectations."
We think the campaign is wonderful and it helps women celebrate who they are in their entirety without compromising one aspect of themselves in order to fit into societal norms. Below we listed the faces of the #FaceAnything campaign and also nominated who we think would be perfect in those categories if the same campaign was run in South Africa.
Too Different
Elyse Fox
According to the Olay Instagram page Elyse is the founder of the Sad Girls Club which is an online community for women of all ages to share their stories about dealing with their mental illnesses in a judgement-free space. "For Elyse, opening up about her depression was empowering, and now she’s an open book."
Our SA nomination:
Loot Love
Loot Love is a DJ, TV personality and already a beauty brand ambassador but for Revlon. She has had to deal with a number of social media trolls in the past who had one thing or another to say about her appearance and she has always gracefully stood her ground. The influencer has spoken out about having cellulite and in the September issue of True Love magazine has opened up about the entertainment industry and what her big plans are before she turns 30.
Too ambitious
Angela Dimayuga
Angela is an executive head chef of the Standard Hotel Group and she is also a cultural advocate. According to the Olay Instagram page, Angela embraces every part of who she is, which includes "standing firm in her identity, being queer, Filipino American, and being first generation."
Our SA nomination:
DJ Zinhle
DJ Zinhle has long been making moves in the music industry. She owns her own watch brand, Era by DJ Zinhle which she later expanded to include other jewellery. She also runs a school to teach women how to DJ called Fuse Academy and has co-authored a book titled Meeting Your Power. She recently told City Press that she is working on an album - there is no stopping her.
Too defiant
Jullian Meracado
Jullian is a model and a creative artist. She was diagnosed with spastic muscular dystrophy which is a type of disease "that causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass," according to Mayo Clinic. Because of her diagnosis she was given a set of rules to live by and according to the Olay Instagram page, Jullian defied all those rules and decided to set her own rules.
Our SA nomination:
Thandiswa Mazwai
The afro jazz musician has been blessing many South Africans with her graceful tunes and her voice for over 20 years. In an exclusive interview with Marie Claire in 2016, Thandiswa admitted that she rarely speaks to the press because of the way in which they have portrayed her as a diva in the past. With age, Thandiswa says that she can do things that she didn't feel comfortable doing in the past, like talking and singing about sex. This year she is working on her memoir which will talk about her childhood and all the grief and abuse she had to endure to get where she is today.
Too confident
Mama Cax
Mama Cax is fashion blogger, motivational speaker and a cancer survivor. Because of her cancer, Mama Cax had her leg amputated at a young age and that affected her confidence. She tells Olay that being confident in what she calls her new body was not an overnight decision, "but she decided she to keep going, not just for her, but for all women and girls like her."
Our SA nomination:
Thickleeyonce
Thickleeyonce is photographer, model and blogger. She has always been about body positivty and stands firmly on the notion that "You can be fat and beautiful." She is also breaking down the stereotype that plus size women have to wear clothes that cover up their bodies with the launch of her clothing brand LeeBux. She has faced a lot of negative comments about her body and stills remains true to herself by wearing what she wants and not what people think she should.
Too outspoken
Lily Singh
She is a Youtuber, influencer and comedian with over 14 million subscribers. The quote "Girls aren't funny. Girls shouldn't do comedy," has not deterred her but has motivated her to reach her dreams. "She sees her comedy as paving a path for other women, to be ambitious, to never apologise for their accomplishments," she tells Olay.
Our SA nomination:
Farah Fortune
Farah is the founder and director of the celebrity PR company African Star Communications and multi-award winning businesswoman. When she is not managing the lives of the famous, Farah speaks out on important issues. Recently she posted a video of a man who was identified as Adam Catzavelos, who exposed his racism in a video that's gone viral.
Too Emotional
Denise Bidot
Denise is a plus size model and she shares with Olay that she was always told that she's "too everything." She is "passionate and emotional, but being “too much” of any of those is no reason to change herself," according to Olay's Instagram page. She has also started a lifestyle movement called There Is No Wrong Way To Be A Woman, which inspires women from all walks of life to be who they are.
Our SA nomination:
Nomzamo Mbatha
Nomzamo is an actress who puts her heart and emotions in everything she does. She completed her studies and graduated from the University of Cape Town with a BCom degree in accounting earlier this year. At her graduation she wore a black and white dress which had the faces of all the people she had buried thus far. On an emotional Instagram post she wrote, "Today is the Third. Carla died on the Third. My dress has the pictures of those I have buried, those who held my heart. To Courage. To Resilience. Overcome. #UCTGrad2018 #RememberThem" She also invited 20 young graduates to come celebrate with her at an intimate dinner according to Huffpost.
Too vulnerable
Piera Geldardi
Piera is a media mogul as well as the Next-Gen Boss. She is also an award wining entrepreuner and the co-founder of Refinery 29. She tells Olay that "vulnerability has never been a source of weakness. She’s redefining leadership with empathy and vulnerability."
Our SA nomination:
Simphiwe Ngema
Simphiwe is an actress who lost her husband Dumi Masilela two months after the two tied the knot. Since the devastating death of her husband, Simphiwe has been vocal about her grief and recovery with media and her followers. She has since tried to move on with her life and pick up the pieces according to Sowetan. Channel 24 shares that Simphiwe has let go of her wedding ring after completing the process of mourning. She is also working on a book in tribute to her late husband and plans to release some of the songs her late husband wrote for her.
Too strong
Aly Raisman
Aly is an Olympic gold medalist gymnast and "an advocate for change and a voice of the voiceless," according to Olay's Instagram page. Aly has used her platform to speak out on abuse and sexual assault. According to WCVB, Aly has spoken out about her sexual assault by her team doctor and since advocated for people that have suffered the same fate as she has. "She is using her platform to listen and to fight the stigma that may prevent victims from coming forward," states the article.
Our SA nomination:
Caster Semenya
Caster is an Olympic gold medalist athlete who has suffered tons of scrutiny for her appearance and has had her gender questioned on numerous occasions. Despite the criticism Caster still continues to run her race. According to Sport24 Caster is one of 20 South African athletes who will be part of the African Continental Cup team at the upcoming IAAF Continental Cup to be held in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Too driven
Kay Adams
Kay is a sportcaster and a TV personality. She tells Olay that she has been told that she is too driven and too focused on one thing but those are things that she loves about herself.
Our SA nomination:
Bonang Matheba
Bonang is TV personality, radio host and a businesswoman. Her career success has been unstoppable. She is the brand ambassador of various international brands like Revlon and has also collaborated with Woolworths on a lingerie line. Recently she partnered with Spree on her T-shirt range and her show Being Bonang well watched and loved.
Sign up to W24’s newsletters so you don't miss out on any of our hot stories and giveaways.
