Ashley Graham and Noor Tagouri Discuss Diversity at Endeavor's NYFW Panel
Ashley Graham made waves in the beauty industry when she announced her new gig as Revlon's spokesmodel, praising the brand for paying attention to representation. She elaborated on those thoughts at a recent NYFW panel, hosted by Endeavor. The speakers came to share their thoughts on what inclusivity needs to look like, and made particular note about the fact that one diverse girl to stand for many is no where near enough. Ashley's fellow guests included journalist and activist Noor Tagouri, makeup artist Daniel Martin, CVS Health CMO Norman de Greve, and Endeavor Global Marketing EVP Seth Matlins. The panel was moderated by Joy Reid, host of MSMBC’s AM Joy.
Particularly poignant were the words of Noor and Ashley toward the end of the panel (you can watch the full video below). The two echoed each other’s sentiments about the lack of progress that comes from stopping after promoting a single “token” face. Noor began by saying, “As we are jumping into this new realm of representation, inclusivity, and diversity, understand that having a token representative is not acceptable.” She acknowledged, “I know that that is the first step, because it’s treading rocky waters and people aren’t used to it yet, but when doing it, keep in mind that the trajectory should be to make this the new norm.” With her words, she urged the listeners to think well beyond what is put in front of them.
Noor continued by putting her thoughts into the context of her own career, sharing, “I’ve always kept in mind that I want — in 10 years — for people to see me on TV and not be like, ‘oh she’s that hijabi journalist.’ And instead be like, ‘she’s a journalist who happens to wear the hijab.’ And it should be the same across the beauty industry because that’s where we’re first seeing representation. We need, so desperately, to be representative of the people around us.”
Ashley echoed much of what Noor had expressed, remarking on their differences in careers, yet similarities in what they fight for. “This is what people are craving,” she explained. “Because we come from different worlds and if we’re both craving the same thing then it needs to happen.” Ashley went on to talk about the danger in a “token” or an “example.” She shared, “It’s enough with the celebrating the token. It’s enough with celebrating the new girl. Because she’s not the new girl. She’s been around the block, and then some, and you’re just deciding to put her in your campaign.”
The takeaway came from Ashley herself, who closed with the wise words, “Instead of celebrating ‘what’s the new,’ it’s about making us the norm.”
Watch the full panel below:
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