Amanda Gorman, the poet who stirred America at the inauguration of President Joe Biden, has revealed that she has said no to millions in deals since her appearance at the January event.
The 23-year-old, who signed with IMG Models days after the inauguration, explained to Vogue that she turned down endorsements amounting to "around" $17 million because she had to be "conscious of taking commissions that speak to me."
Recalling one particular offer from an unnamed brand, Gorman said she didn't look at the details "because if you see something and it says a million dollars you’re going to rationalize why that makes sense."
During the interview, which she announced on Twitter, Gorman also addressed her new status as a style icon. The poet wore a red satin Prada headband and a yellow Prada coat to the inauguration and both became hot-selling items. However, despite her new job, Gorman admitted she is not completely comfortable being a fashion model.
"When I’m part of a campaign the entity isn’t my body. It’s my voice," she said.
Gorman also said she was wary of being viewed as an example to others.
"I don’t want to be something that becomes a cage, where to be a successful Black girl you have to be “Amanda Gorman” and go to Harvard. I want someone to eventually disrupt the model I have established," she said.
Gorman established herself during the inauguration and, shortly after, she commanded the spotlight again when she read an original poem at the Super Bowl in February. The poem, titled "Chorus of the Captains," was a tribute to three people for their contributions during the pandemic: educator Trimaine Davis, nurse manager Suzie Dorner and Marine veteran James Martin. She did not appear on the field, but in a taped video.
The poem she recited read:
"Let us walk with these warriors,
Charge on with these champions,
And carry forth the call of our captains.
We celebrate them by acting,
With courage and compassion,
By doing what is right and just.
For while we honor them today,
It is they who every day honor us."
Taking to Twitter before the event, Gorman spoke about the power poetry had to connect people.
"Poetry at the Super Bowl is a feat for art and our country, because it means we’re thinking imaginatively about human connection even when we feel siloed," she wrote. "I’ll honor three heroes who exemplify the best of this effort. Here’s to them, to poetry and to a Super Bowl like no other."
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Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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