How She Do: Lessons on Audaciously Being Yourself

Article first published for News By The Catalyst Media on Mar 15, 2021

Who knew being in your element would get you famous? Well, Elsa Majimbo is here and she is showing us how it is done. We have all grown up watching and crushing on stars who are prim and perfect in every way- whether it is their makeup or clothes, everything is on fleek- on fleek is still a phrase right? I’ve been in quarantine too long to know the ‘new normal’ jargon, just flow with me. We have this perception that perfection is the standard and anything less than that is merely visible. It took a whole pandemic to teach us that it is absolutely normal to rock pyjamas all day and question the very existence of bras? Not only did we survive, we also rejoiced within the blossoming bodies that groove without any cessation of movement.

Elsa Majimbo is a star who was born out of the very boredom of lockdown. Imagine that! No makeup, no expensive photoshoots, zero top-notch video editing skills (not even even a tripod), just her, a packet of crisps and her bed to fall back on as she laughs uncontrollably. How!? Like all those years of perfecting perfection and then we wake up to no makeup, undone hair and a packet of crisps??? The actual audacity!! Well this audacity has captured the world over and Elsa is now a sensation. Her vibe has caught the attention of celebrities, Beyonce for one just sent her exclusive pieces from her Ivy Park collection and she is working on a special project with, wait for it, Valentino. She has endorsements with big brands like Rihanna’s Fenty Eyewear collection and Mac. Not to forget all the awards she has bagged; E! People’s Choice Award, Streamys Creator Honors Award, GQ Entertainer of the Year. She has also been on the cover of Teen Vogue magazine, featured in Forbes Magazine, interviews with CNN, New York Times, E! News, all in one year. But wait she hasn’t stopped yet, her latest announcement was that she will be a part of 2021 Golden Globe Awards and we are ready to watch her shine and bask in her authentic glow. She also now has a syndicated show on Snapchat!

So what is Elsa doing differently? Nothing if you ask me, but there is something that we seem to have forgotten. Like a secret that we always knew but hidden it so deep within that it is lost. We have literally forgotten what it is to be ourselves, we have dimmed our inner shine as we constantly look up to the perceptions fed to us on a daily basis. So what is the secret sauce that we all have within ourselves:

1. It is never that serious: No, it isn’t. Ok maybe if you want to sell your shares worth billions then you should get serious, but other than that, it is never that serious. Let’s face it, the world literally came to a standstill and the brilliant human resilience was on display in its full form. We innovated, adapted and found joy in eating from our own kitchens, heck cooked by our own actual hands. Elsa taught us how to laugh at the most obvious everyday tasks that we can easily overlook, for eg. Finding an excuse to get out of an upcoming meet-up. I know I have made excuses and sometimes felt bad, but it’s never that serious. Elsa shows us you can put yourself first and it is totally cool to do that.

2. Boujee is an illusion, we all chew crisps: Ever seen a food pic on instagram and wondered how in the world is the dish eaten? It looks so beautiful, just perfect but you have to dig into it. How? From where would be my question. Sometimes we let an image control our actual experience of certain things and more often than not we realise that it was average when actually experienced. Why do we allow all this pressure to suffocate us? We forget our own special shine amidst the wide rays of perfection being shared everyday. Lockdown did give us a sneak peak into massive and epic kitchen fails and we all cheered on second, third and fourth attempts. Though miles apart, we encourage our social friends to keep at it and keep us posted. And so why not crisps? And Elsa shows us the simplest way of enjoying your packet of crisps- you got to chew them well. Who eats crisps now and doesn’t think of Elsa, I know I do.

3. Do YOU boo-Always: The infamous DO YOU, BE YOU instagram quote that resurfaces every day with a different aesthetic background and we can’t seem to stop our fingers from pressing the Like/Share buttons mindlessly. How many times have we actually applied it? Zilch. I know this because I am also guilty of sharing it. Elsa came around to show us exactly how it’s applied. She is simply herself- funny, witty, cute, posey (I could take some lessons on how to pose from her) and she never shies from smiling. In a world where women are taught to be prim and proper and correct, then comes along a girl who loves to laugh out loud and isn’t afraid to do so on camera. I know I have tried to be proper in some situations in order to fit in, yet I’m a simple girl on the inside and well let’s just say that was one epic fail moment of my life. So if you like to laugh, then laugh your heart out, because turns out it actually pays to be YOU.

4. Only you can rock your style: I don’t think I have seen anyone rock the 1990s sunglasses as well as Elsa. Don’t get me wrong she can rock any pair, even the priced Fenty collection, in her own genuine style and you wouldn’t dare look her in the eye. She didn’t use anything extra while she smoothly showcased the collection in a video, it was the same environment, same equipment, crisps were present and not to forget her awesome self in all her realness and yet she rocked in every pair. Elsa has repeatedly made it clear that her being herself is the core of her brand and that is unique to herself, no one can be her. And that is a fact for all of us- no one can be you. We all have our own unique styles but perceptions have scared us to own our styles and ourselves fearlessly as Elsa does. So whether you like sunglasses or not, own and rock your style in pride, you never know your next celebrity bff might be looking for you.

5. Lock your focus: outside noise can be overbearing and sometimes get to us ever so easily. Elsa has managed to keep herself on track and focus on her own vibe and in doing so she has attracted the right energy to her space. She has continued to prove that you can never be wrong when you are your authentic self. You might not resonate to all because everyone has a right to their preferences, and that’s okay, but to the few that you do make sure your focus lies on them. Let’s face it we have seen the kind of energy Elsa has attracted and we want that too right? So keep your focus locked and dare to shine audaciously.