Aoki Lee Simmons Responds To Criticism Surrounding Her Modeling Career: ‘Models Aren't Uneducated’
Aoki Lee Simmons has both brains and beauty! Keep scrolling to find out how the Ivy League student is challenging the concept that a model cannot have it all.
On Monday, the Harvard student took to TikTok to answer a question about why she decided to pursue a career in modeling. The comment read: “You’re so articulate and obviously educated .. how come u chose modeling?”
The 19-year-old responded, "Well, one, models aren't uneducated and not articulate, but two, I think what you're really getting at is, 'Why am I going into a field that doesn't necessarily require a degree or require a whole lot of book smarts when I have a lot of education? Well, one, because I love it, and I think we should normalize liking something."
She continued, "You don't have to do what you're immediately good at [...] You can be good at something and not want to do it forever, and you can be bad at something and still pursue it.”
The daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons went on to encourage others to embrace their passions without the fear of judgment.
"I really want us to move towards a future where young women aren't being asked this question. Like, not being asked, 'Why did you follow your more creative passion even though you're smart?’ I would like to change the idea that you can't be smart and pretty, or you can't be smart and enjoy your looks or enjoy a creative, beauty- [and] fashion-based career," she added. "You can be two kinds of people in one person."
She concluded, "Do whatever you want. Get a degree; don't use it. Get a degree; use it later ... Get a degree later. Don't get one — do whatever you want to do! And nothing is a waste of your talent if you are enjoying it and you’re happy and you’re living your life."
Preach, sis! We couldn’t agree more.
