Create & Cultivate 100: Entertainment: Jameela Jamil
“My fight is to be taken seriously as something other than a pair of tits and legs.”
It’s no secret that we’re major Jameela Jamil stans here at Create & Cultivate.
The unapologetically outspoken actress has blessed us with her words of wisdom as a guest on the WorkParty podcast, as a keynote speaker at our Desert Pop Up in Palm Springs, and as a fireside chat panelist at our Aerie REALtreat in Los Angeles. So, naturally, we’re thrilled to announce that she’s one of our 4th-annual Create & Cultivate 100 honorees. And here’s why.
Though her career kicked off in entertainment—she was the first solo female host of the BBC Radio 1’s Official Chart Show before she landed a coveted role on the hit show “The Good Place,” despite having no acting experience—now, she is well known as a leader of the body neutrality movement and as the founder of I Weigh, an organization she launched in 2018 to encourage people to weigh themself by their positive attributes, as opposed to numbers on a scale (the hashtag has been used over 37,000 times on Instagram). Since then she has called out big brands and celebrities for false advertising and marketing that promotes unfounded diets, appetite suppressants, and misleading messages to women and girls.
Ahead, we chat with the role model about her career in Hollywood, including the moment she decided to become a body neutrality activist, and the barriers she’s still working to break down in the entertainment industry.
CREATE & CULTIVATE: You moved to Los Angeles with the goal of becoming a screenwriter, but you had no contacts—something a lot of entrepreneurs can relate to. You are now a successful actor, but what did it take to get to where you are today? Was Hollywood receptive or have you had to fight for your spot? Why?
JAMEELA JAMIL: Hollywood has been receptive to me, but that’s because I was championed by such legendary showrunner Mike Schur who takes a chance on unknowns and on women, in particular. I was very lucky. In general, my fight is to be taken seriously as something other than a pair of tits and legs. But I have come in at the most progressive time in Hollywood’s history, where I believe change is coming.
“My fight is to be taken seriously as something other than a pair of tits and legs.”
You're not content with just being another pretty face in Hollywood and you refuse to be quiet, using your profile to advocate for social justice. Can you recall a moment where you felt the call to arms and knew you needed to fight for equal rights and body neutrality?
I was 19 and watched a 12-year-old in a modeling agency made to cry about her weight. This reminded me of my time as a teen model, and how pushed I was towards starvation, that I decided to enter into activism to challenge body standards for women. I can’t believe 15 years later I’m still In this same fight. We aren’t moving fast enough.
Not only do you dispute the term “body positivity” but you also refuse to be airbrushed, which, in Hollywood, is a huge statement. When did you make that choice? Why?
I’ve been asking for years, but I had to become powerful to get my way. I suffer from body dysmorphia which makes Photoshop very problematic for me. I don’t do well with seeing physically perfect images of myself when I already struggle with the mirror. It’s not good for any of our brains to see that comparison. It diminishes self-confidence. It’s also so irresponsible as a celebrity to showcase unrealistic ideals. It’s a lie you are selling to impressionable women who are already under enough attack from society as it is. We have a duty to have more integrity.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you #FindNewRoads + switch gears to find success?
I’m afraid of failure. I think it’s noble to try when success isn’t guaranteed. So I just move on and try new things. I don’t think we know what we are capable of as women because of how long society has told us we are incapable of everything. So I treat it as getting to know myself, and it’s fun. Stressful at times, but fun.
You have become a role model to so many young women everywhere. What advice would you give a young woman hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Get therapy. Have a predominantly female team. Fight for other women to join you at your level. There is power in numbers, we are much stronger together. Ask for more. It’s available to you, but you will never find that out until you ask.
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ENTERTAINMENT LIST HERE.
"An Overnight Success is 10 Years in the Making" & Other Mic-Drop Moments You Missed From Our Desert Pop-Up
Palm Springs, you did it again.
There’s nothing like coming together with hundreds of women in the middle of the desert to mingle, share knowledge, and hear from some of the best in the fashion, beauty, and entertainment industries. Saturday’s Desert Pop-Up was all that and more, with jaw-dropping keynotes from Jameela Jamil, Rocky Barnes, and Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott. They shared the priceless advice they’ve gained over the years, and we couldn’t take notes fast enough! Don’t worry if you weren’t there—we’re bringing you all the key takeaways below…and if you’re a C&C Insider, you can watch videos of every speaker & panel here!
The New Standard: Influencers Reshaping the Beauty & Fashion Industry
“I want to be on the field playing, not on the bench.” - Annie Lawless, Lawless Beauty
“Everything you post is an online resume.” - Jill Wallace, Little Black Boots
“I’m not going to do a job I’m not 100% about. I will never compromise my style.” - Brittany Xavier, global style influencer
Don’t do it for the likes or the comments. Post what you’re passionate about. - Carolina Lindo, I’m Not Sorry Darling
On starting a new venture: “There really is no true five year plan. Everything you do should be short-term planning.” — Jessica Franklin, HeyGorJess
““The only person I’m in competition with is myself. Where was I three months or six months ago, and where I am now?” ”
On being an influencer in a rapidly-changing digital landscape: “It’s a bit like the wild wild west. We’re making the rules up as we go.” - Jill Wallace
“There’s never a right time to start a company, so you might as well start now. Just have faith.” - Annie Lawless
“You don’t need to know exactly where you’re going. Just be really focused and passionate about what you do and everything will fall into place.” - Jessica Franklin
“The only person I’m in competition with is myself. Where was I three months or six months ago, and where I am now?” - Jill Wallace
Fireside Chat: Rocky Barnes
“An overnight success is 10 years in the making.”
“I think it’s so important to find the right person or brand to collaborate with. Don’t be afraid to say no and find the right match. It’s like finding a boyfriend.”
“I don’t want anyone to think there’s a quick easy shortcut to success — It may look like there is, but it’s all about hard work.”
“Make time for face-to-face interactions, taking the time to have coffee, say hello—make a personal connection. You have no idea how far that will go in this industry.”
“The best advice I’ve ever received is to never take anything personally.”
“No one is bigger or better than anyone else. Everyone started in the same place.”
“Instead of focusing just on that dream job, focus on the way you want to feel. That’s where you should put your focus.”
Keynote: Katrina Scott & Karena Dawn, Founders of Tone It Up, in conversation with Jaclyn Johnson
“The secret to being business partners is to allow each other to be who you are and find your strengths.”
“There’s never enough time in the day—don’t try to do everything. If you can choose to do one big thing once a day, think of how much you can achieve in a month, or a year, or 10 years.”
“Be in tune with the community you have, even when you think you know what’s best for your business.”
“For us, because we’re so focused on relationships, hiring is really about culture. Hire smarter than you are. Hire people who know what you don’t know.”
“Life isn’t all about work. You have to set boundaries—we’ll go on vacation together and spend the whole week not talking about work. Life is meant to be enjoyed.”
“You have to OK with change. Evolution is great. You’re not the same person you were 10 years ago, and your brand should evolve as well.”
“We’re really guilty of doing every job ourselves. You shouldn’t do that—you should be creating and connecting with your community.”
“Hiring is an investment of time, but think about how it will pay off in the long run.”
“From the very beginning, you’ll never find any Tone It Up workouts about ‘problem areas.’ We’ve always been very body positive. We have before and afters, but we’ve highlighted women who’s gained weight, who’ve gotten stronger, who’ve gone from being not confident to confident.
“Live in the moment and learn. When we’re younger, we’re so concerned about what other people are thinking about you. Just live.”
We Mean Biz: The Content Creators Building Buzz & Businesses
“There’s a reason people sit around the table and talk about their invention ideas and don’t follow through on them—because doing them is no joke. If you have that idea and there is something in you pulling you to do it, figure it out because I have to say, going forward with TOPTOTE, I would have regretted not making it happen.” - Lindsay Albanese, TOPTOTE
“Whoever is paying you is always going to say there’s no money available. There is always money available. Be difficult. Ask for the big money.” - Keltie Knight, TV Host & Founder, Ladygang
Focus on your niche. Focus on what your friends ask your advice on. What are you getting questions about? What are you really good at? Focus on that. - Jaci Marie Smith, Influencer & Founder, What We Said
“If it’s not something I would wear myself, I won’t put it into production.” - Nicole Williams English, Nia Lynn Collection
““Some of the biggest opportunities I’ve gotten are because I’ve asked for it. If I’m not asking, someone else is.””
“Hard workers only. If you’ve got it, you’ll make it happen.” - Lindsay Albanese
“Tap into your resources. You know more people than you realize that can help you take that next step in making something happen.” - Lindsay Albanese
“Ask for what you want, because you are worth it. It is so hard to find a passionate, smart woman to work for you—and you are that. Get that money.” - Keltie Knight
“I’m at the point now where I’d rather level up on everything I’m doing than doing something new.” - Jaci Marie Smith
“A lot of people are so nervous to ask for what they want, but some of the biggest opportunities I’ve gotten are because I’ve asked for it. If I’m not asking, someone else is.” - Lindsay Albanese
“Take ‘just’ out of your vocabulary. Not ‘just following up.’ Say, ‘Hey. I’m following up. I’m fucking awesome. Reply to me.’” - Keltie Knight
Keynote: Jameela Jamil in conversation with Jaclyn Johnson
“If you’re going to be an activist or feminist, you have to be willing to take an L and know that we don’t know everything. We have to be willing to shut up, listen, and learn, and not be too proud about it.”
“The next generation is f*cking done being excluded and looking up to a white straight thin version of what we are supposed to be. We’re done with the dinosaurs…and I’m here to kill the last of them.”
“I weigh the sum of all my motherf*cking parts.”
“Stop being so worried about being fucking likable—it’s not your responsibility to make people happy.”
“This is now a time of sisterhood. Seeing how high my activism has risen, seeing how I’ve been embraced for being so outspoken, so rude—-by even the media and men—-is a sign that change is here.”
Shoutout to Kelley Anderson for creating these gorgeous fern walls for our video backdrop! We loved seeing all of your creative OMBooth vids!
Next up: Our New York conference! Didn’t get tickets in time? Hop on the waitlist. We can’t wait to see you there!
MORE ON THE BLOG
