One day after posting an intentionally risqué picture on Instagram, Sam & Cat‘s Jennette McCurdy wrote a lengthy post about why she’s done trying to be a role model.
“There was a time when I tried to live up to the aggrandizing title, that pedestal of a thing,” she said in a lengthy post on the Reddit feed dedicated to her. “Back in my adolescence, I was more amiable, bubbly, and on lightly humid days, maybe even flouncy. I was role model material and then some. Fast forward a few years, I’ve grown up a bit (emphasis on “a bit”). I might not be any wiser, but I like to think I’m more honest.”
Within the past year, Jennette lost her mother, weathered a leaked photo scandal, controversially criticized a former flame and lost her Nickelodeon job. Possibly in light of all of that, the 22-year-old actress said continuing to pursue the “falsified standard set by the bubblegum industry” is setting herself up for failure.
“I’ve made some mistakes, but even if I hadn’t, people would have found invisible ones. This world is one seemingly most keen on judgment and negativity, despite all the hearts and smiley emoticons,” she explained. “Now before you start thinking I’m some sort of derelict that leads a life of crime, let me clarify. I am proud of the way I live my life. I am proud of my choices. I am proud that no one can call me fake or say I don’t stand up for myself.”
The picture paired with her Reddit post.
She suggests that viewers who may have looked up to her in the past consider finding their new role models in real life.
“In order to be thought of as a real, true role model, I believe you have to know a person and their actions, inside and out. Calling a celebrity a role model is like calling a stranger a role model,” she said. “They say don’t look for true love in a bar, well I say, don’t look for role models on screens.”
Can all agree that Jennette makes some excellent points? I know Miley Cyrus and some others have made passing comments about “I’m not a role model/I don’t want to be a role model,” but it’s pretty impressive that Jennette took the time to explain her stance.
