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Picture Source - Emily Ratajkowski’s Nude Pics and VideosEmily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.Emily Ratajkowski is an American model-cum-actress who has gained iconic status due to her sex-appeal and fashion sense. Born with a dream to make it as an actor, Ratajkowski soon followed her passion. After a couple of roles as a child artist, she switched to modelling during her growing up years, and has been a sought after face ever since. What gave Ratajkowski an edge over other models was her openness to everything, even nudity. Her uninhibited attitude stems from her numerous visits to nude beaches of Europe as a child that left a profound impact on her young mind. Her appearance on the cover of an erotic magazine, in 2012, was instrumental in her bagging a role in the record-breaking music video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Interestingly, Ratajkowski had earlier rejected the offer and only after much persuasion, she agreed to do it. The video proved to be a breakthrough for her career and made her an overnight sensation. What followed was numerous photoshoots, runway success, top rankings in beauty and fashion lists, making it to the covers of the world’s top magazines, and even big screen appearances—which was her ‘prized’ dream all along. Meanwhile, her bold look and fashion sense garnered her lots of followers—both on and off the social media. Ratajowski has appeared in many films, including ‘Entourage', ‘We Are Your Friends', ‘I Feel Pretty' and so on; and there are many more in the loop, awaiting releases.Childhood & Early LifeEmily O’Hara Ratajkowski was born on June 7 1991, in Westminster, London, to Kathleen Balgley and John David. She was the only child of the couple. While her mother was a professor of English, her father was a painter and art teacher.As a child, Ratajkowski spent a significant amount of time in Europe. Visiting nude beaches in Europe exposed the young Ratajkowski to the nude female figure in photography and art during her formative years. Works of prominent photographers, including that of her father, left a deep impact on young Emily’s mind.Ratajkowski spent the first five years of her life in London before finally settling down in San Diego, California. Before leaving London, Ratajkowski had become obsessed with theatre. Her love for acting found her the debut role of Elsa in the adaptation, ‘The Little Match Girl’. She then took up a couple of roles and even tried her hand at ballet, and eventually started modelling.On the academic front, Ratajkowski attended San Dieguito Academy High School in San Diego, while pursuing a career in modelling and acting in Los Angeles. In 2009, she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but attended the same just for a year. The school’s ideology conflicted with hers which led her to drop out.CareerAt the age of 14, Ratajkowski signed a deal with a talent agency. She also signed an agreement with Ford and did a teen print catalogue modelling for Kohl's and Nordstrom. She took up several minor un-credited roles in television and film projects.In 2010, Ratajkowski began a career in modelling. She posed for various artistic erotic magazines. Her bold look coupled with her rawness earned her roles in two high-profile music videos. She also appeared in a bunch of commercials during this time.Ratajkowski’s popularity went two-folds in 2013 after she featured in Pharrell Williams’s video, ‘Blurred Lines’. Though the video got into a controversy and was labelled sexist and misogynistic by some, she believed that it did not objectify her or any other women, and instead talked about female power and sexual freedom.‘Blurred Lines’ proved to be a breakthrough in Ratajkowski’s career. It stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for twelve consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number one song of the decade. Furthermore, it became the number one song of 2013 Music Charts in countries like Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.‘Blurred Lines’ gave Ratajkowski a sudden rush of unanticipated prominence making her a star overnight. Almost abruptly, she had turned into a sex symbol and became a permanent fixture on several highly-prized fashion magazine polls and lists. Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated, FHM and AskMen listed her among their hottest sex symbols.Banking on her newfound recognition, Ratajkowski soon found herself supporting roles in major films. She played the mistress of the Ben Affleck’s character in ‘Gone Girl’. Immediately after making waves for her performance in the film, she appeared as the cover model for the highly reputed, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine.In 2015, Ratajkowski co-starred in ‘Entourage’, playing the love interest of Vincent Chase. Her role in the film received widespread appreciation. The year also saw the release of ‘The Spoils Before Dying’ in which she played Agent Day, a role which was also favourably reviewed.August 2015 marked her debut in a lead role for the musical drama, ‘We Are Your Friends’ opposite Zac Efron. In the film, she played the character of Sophie, a Stanford University dropout. During the film’s promotional tour to Europe and North America and its premiere in London, Ratajkowski emerged as a style icon, earning multiple best dressed citations. Her performance received mixed reviews but she was commended for her dancing skills and sex appeal.Post the success of ‘We Are Your Friends’, Ratajkowski appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Grazia France, British GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle UK and Australia. She also made her runway debut for Marc Jacobs at the spring/summer New York Fashion Week finale and for Miu Miu at the Paris Fashion Week runway.After a splendid success in 2016, Ratajkowski began 2017 with a cover shot for Vogue España in February, and followed it with cover appearances on InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar in months to follow. She modelled for the French fashion brand, The Kooples’, and even designed a 38-piece bag collection for them.In 2018, Ratajkowski featured alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film, ‘I Feel Pretty’. Her role was a pivotal one, which she played to perfection.Currently, Ratajkowski has her hands full with film projects. Her upcoming releases include ‘Cruise’ opposite Spencer Boldman, ‘In Darkness’ alongside Natalie Dormer, Ed Skrein, and Stacy Martin and ‘Welcome Home’ opposite Aaron Paul. She has also been cast as a series regular in the NBC pilot ‘Bright Futures’e learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own,” Emily Ratajkowski writes in a new essay in New York magazine.While we all may assume that any photo taken of us may, in some sense, belong to us, that's not true legally, and especially not for models. For Ratajkowski, the loss of control of her own image dovetails with other issues that have plagued the modeling industry for decades: abuse of power, sexual misconduct, and the personal pain brought on by legal battles pertaining to copyright.In the essay, Ratajkowski first cites a lawsuit a paparazzo brought against her for using a photograph he took of her on her own Instagram Story, an increasingly common legal headache that has also caught up others like Gigi Hadid and Khloé Kardashian.Though, Ratajkowski's issues also extend into the art world. She discusses in her piece the Richard Prince “Instagram Paintings” series, in which two images of hers were used by Prince, an artist who has come under fire a number of times for appropriation and pushing the limits of copyright law. She ended up purchasing the canvas with an ex-boyfriend, in efforts to reclaim her own image.“When the piece arrived, I was annoyed,” she writes. “I’d seen online that other subjects of the Instagram paintings were being gifted ‘studies,’ the smaller drafts of the final works. My boyfriend asked the studio, and some months later, a 24-inch mounted black-and-white ‘study’ arrived. It was a different shot than the large piece we had purchased, but I still felt victorious.”She touches on the 4Chan leak that occurred when she was 22 years old, saying: “Pictures meant only for a person who loved me and with whom I’d felt safe—photos taken out of trust and intimacy—were now being manically shared and discussed on online forums and rated ‘hot’ or ‘not.’”Through all of these disconcerting and bitter scenarios, arguably the most upsetting portion of the essay is Ratajkowski’s retelling of her photo shoot with the photographer Jonathan Leder in 2012. Leder is known to shoot women nude, or wearing lingerie, exclusively—as a cursory glance at his Instagram proves. Ratajkowski says her agent sent her to Woodstock, New York to spend the night at Leder’s house for the shoot, (which might seem like a sketchy situation, but in the mid-Aughts, was a fairly common practice for models and photographers, and still does occur today). The story she tells—in which Leder makes unkind comments about her weight and feeds her wine—is entirely uncomfortable, and culminates in what Ratajkowski describes as a negative sexual encounter.Leder also ended up using the photographs shot that night (some of which were nude and which the model described as “the most compromising and sexual photos of me ever taken”) to publish three editions of a photobook and as the subject matter for an art show held in New York City in 2017.“I looked him up online occasionally; I almost felt like I was checking in on a part of me, the part of me he now owned,” Ratajkowski writes. “For years, while I built a career, he’d kept that Emily in the drawers of his creaky old house, waiting to whore her out. It was intoxicating to see what he’d done with this part of me he’d stolen.”The model’s retelling of these abuses of power are distressing, but unfortunately happen far too often in the fashion industry. Young women trying to start their careers are frequently taken advantage of—even if they do have a solid agent backing them. Instagram accounts like Shit Model Management (which posts models’ stories of abuse in addition to memes that speak to a model’s tough lifestyle) and the model Cameron Russell have publicized hundreds of harrowing recounts of sexual misconduct and rape.Ratajkowski’s article published today will be part of a larger collection of personal essays, the model stated in an Instagram post.Freshman year of college at UCLA, I took a gender studies class that I became obsessed with. This class was my first introduction to a bunch of ideas I had never been exposed to: queer theory, the concept of sexuality as being on a sliding scale, and the important distinction between gender and sexuality. At the time I considered myself a staunch feminist and had signed up for the class assuming that I’d learn a lot about women’s lib, feminist rhetoric, and so on. I was shocked by how little I understood about gender, and it made me start to examine my own identity as a woman.Before I go any further, let’s state the obvious: I’m a cis white woman. I’m well aware of the privilege I receive as someone who is heteronormative, and I don’t pretend to act like my identity hasn’t made some things easier for me. That being said, I want to take this opportunity to speak up about what my experience as a woman has been. Two summers ago, while vacationing with my friend and her girlfriend, my friend made an offhand remark about me being “hyper femme.” It kind of threw me because in many ways, probably like anyone would, I felt that her comment was an oversimplification of my identity. In my day-to-day life, I was not aware of being femme or masc or anything but just me. Her observation surprised me and made me feel suddenly self-conscious.“Sometimes I’m not at all feminine. Come on,” I said.I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.She rolled her eyes.Later that night I thought about what it means to be “femme” and why I felt sort of offended by my friend’s remark. The truth is, I thought, I love being feminine.It started young—I remember being 13, maybe even 12, and having a distinct desire to try on lacy bras and thick gooey lip gloss. It felt fun and exciting. Sure, I’m positive that most of my early adventures investigating what it meant to be a girl were heavily influenced by misogynistic culture. Hell, I’m also positive that many of the ways I continue to be “sexy” are heavily influenced by misogyny. But it feels good to me, and it’s my damn choice, right? Isn’t that what feminism is about—choice?Despite the countless experiences I’ve had in which I was made to feel extremely ashamed and, at times, even gross for playing with sexiness, it felt good to play with my feminine side then, and it still does now. I like feeling sexy in the way that makes me, personally, feel sexy. Period.So why did I take offense at my friend’s remark? What was negative about being called “femme”? I realized then that my feeling was in part because of those countless experiences—experiences in which men and women had told me that if I dressed a certain way I wouldn’t be taken seriously and could even be put in danger. A middle school teacher’s comment, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you,” echoed through my head.Still, despite all the uncomfortable remarks and warnings, being “sexy” and occasionally hyper feminine grew into something that felt like strength to me. And also, it just felt like me, which was ultimately the most satisfying feeling.As a fully grown woman, I continue to be shocked by how, in 2019, we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy.Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation ProtestRatajkowski at the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation protest in Washington, D.C.Paul MorigiGetty ImagesWhen I was arrested in D.C. protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a man who has shown a gross amount of disrespect toward women in his life, the headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing. Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans. In their minds, the fact that my body was at all visible had somehow discredited me and my political action. But why?I often think about this. Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?Women historically and mythologically have always been considered untrustworthy, threatening, even dangerous. Eve was full of temptation, Medusa could turn men to stone. Camille Paglia writes in her 1990 book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson: “The female body’s unbearable hiddenness applies to all aspects of men’s dealings with women. What does it look like in there? Did she have an orgasm? Is it really my child? Who was my real father? Mystery shrouds women’s sexuality. This mystery is the main reason for the imprisonment man has imposed on women. Only by confining his wife in a locked harem guarded by eunuchs could he be certain that her son was also his.”As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses. A woman becomes too powerful and thus threatening when she takes strength from embracing her sex. Therefore we insist on shaming; we insist that a woman loses something when she flaunts or embraces her sexuality.Personally, I have found the opposite to be true. I feel powerful when I’m feeling myself, and sometimes feeling myself means wearing a miniskirt. Sometimes it means wearing a giant hoodie and sweats. Sometimes I feel particularly strong and free when I don’t wear a bra under a tank top. That’s just me, in that moment.Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be.If I had chosen not to wear that tank without a bra, that would have been okay too. If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy. And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a “bad feminist,” to borrow from Roxane Gay. As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.I’m definitely not saying that every woman needs to connect with their inner Thotiana; I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini.Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice. Ultimately, however one decides to represent themselves, whether it be heteronormative or completely unidentifiable, is that person’s personal choice. Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be. Preconceptions be damned.Family & Personal LifeEmily Ratajkowski was in a relationship with Andrew Dryden, a creative director and menswear buyer. However, not all was good between the two, and the couple separated in February 2014.In December 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that she was dating musician Jeff Magid. However, this relationship too did not last long, and the two moved apart in early 2018.On February 23, 2018, Ratajkowski, through her Instagram account, announced that she married actor-producer, Sebastian Bear-McClard, her boyfriend of a few weeks, in a courthouse wedding.Other than being an actor, Ratajkowski is an avid activist. She committed to a short film promoting reproductive and sexual health for Planned Parenthood (PPFA), and is greatly involved in PPFA for its role in women’s health on the global platform. On numerous occasions, she has used her celebrity status to support women empowerment and women sexuality.