Luna Blaise Pens a Powerful Essay on the Importance of Latinx Represention

Luna Blaise may be only 15, but she already recognizes the same need for Latinx representation that her mom did at her age.

“When [my mother] was a young girl becoming a teenager herself, she started experimenting with fashion, makeup, and hairstyles, like most girls coming of age,” Luna wrote for PopSugar.

“Like many teens, she turned to fashion magazines for inspiration. My mom explained that there were no models she could relate to that looked like her, and for a brief time, she didn’t feel she was beautiful because of it – not beautiful enough to be on those pages.”

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The Fresh Off the Boat actress and “Over You” singer never forgot this anecdote. When she visited Latina magazine to perform, “a feeling of empowerment and strength filled the room.”

“I saw [my mom] wipe away proud tears of joy. I knew she was very proud of me and that this moment in time had a greater and deeper meaning, a sense of accomplishment for both of us.”

Laurie Hernandez also recently wrote an essay on her Latina culture for the website.

Read the entire gorgeous essay here.