Lady Gaga is one of the most successful singers in the world and is currently making her film debut as the lead actress in the new movie “A Star is Born”, which is now available in theaters.
A few days ago, the American artist and well-known mental health advocate was recognized by «Elle» magazine as one of the most influential women in Hollywood. During the ceremony, held in Los Angeles, she delivered a powerful speech about her experience as a survivor of sexual assault, addressing the role of women in Hollywood and the importance of mental health for our overall well-being. Here we share a fragment of her moving and inspiring speech.
“Today I tried on dress after dress while preparing for this event, one tighter than the other, heels, diamonds, feathers, thousands of embroidered fabrics, and the most beautiful silks in the world. To be honest with you, I felt sick. I asked myself: What does it truly mean to be a woman in Hollywood? We are not just objects created to entertain the world. We are not simply an image meant to bring smiles and expressions to people’s faces. We are not part of a huge beauty contest where we are placed against one another for the pleasure of the audience. We, the women of Hollywood, are voices. We have deep thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and values about the world, and we have the power to speak, to be heard, and to defend ourselves when we are silenced. (…)
As a survivor of sexual assault by someone in the entertainment industry, as a woman who is still not brave enough to say the name of my abuser, as a woman living with chronic pain who was conditioned from a very young age to listen to what men told me I should do, today I decided that I wanted to reclaim my power. Today I wore pants. (…) I had the realization that I needed to feel empowered to be myself, now more than ever. To resist Hollywood standards, whatever that may mean. To resist the expectations of dressing to impress and instead use what truly matters: my voice.
After being raped when I was 19 years old, I changed forever. A part of me shut down for many years. I did not tell anyone. I avoided facing it myself and felt ashamed; even today, I still feel shame standing here in front of you. I feel ashamed of what happened to me. I still have days when I feel as if it was my fault. After sharing what happened to me with very powerful men in this industry, no one helped me. No one offered guidance or extended a hand to help me reach a place where I could feel that justice had been served; they did not even guide me toward seeking the mental health support that I urgently needed. Those men hid because they were afraid of losing their power. And because they hid, I began hiding as well.
I hid for a long time until I began experiencing physical pain. Then, I had to go to a doctor because I did not understand what was happening to me. That was when I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and fibromyalgia, something that many people believe is not real, and I do not even know how to respond to that. But I will tell you what it is: a condition that is essentially a cyclone of stress-induced pain. (…) Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and trauma are just some examples of the forces that can lead you into this tornado of pain. So, what I would like to say in this room full of powerful men and women is that we must work together to guide the world toward kindness. I am fortunate enough to have the resources that allow me to access support. However, for many people, those resources do not exist, or they cannot afford or access them. I want to see mental health become a global priority. We cannot control every challenge and tragedy that life places in our path. But we can work together. This room can work together to heal one another. We can also try to find the strength, in whatever way we can, to ask for help when we need it. (…)
My personal dream is that one day there can be a mental health professional or therapist in every school in this country, and hopefully one day around the world. Let us raise our voices. I know we are already doing it, but let us do it louder. And not only as women, but also as human beings. Let us recognize that there are wonderful men in the world and ask them to join us in seeking justice. So that our voices can be heard, regardless of our stories. So that we can have equal opportunities. Let us fight for justice for women and men, and for those with other sexual identities. For me, that is what it means to be a woman in Hollywood. It means that I have a platform, I have an opportunity to create change. I hope that we listen and pay more attention to those around us who need support. Be a helping hand. Be a force for change.”
Lady Gaga continues to be one of Hollywood’s most powerful voices advocating for mental health. Last year, she partnered with Prince William of England through his organization “Heads Together”, sharing a video on social media where they openly discussed their mental health experiences.
Lady Gaga continues to be one of Hollywood’s most powerful voices advocating for mental health. Last year, she partnered with Prince William of England through his organization “Heads Together”, sharing a video on social media where they openly discussed their mental health experiences.
#EveryoneForMentalHealth
Source: Elle Magazine
