Jameela Jamil vows to become ‘less problematic’ after lockdown: ‘People think I’m manipulative’
Presenter says she has used this time to 'learn, read and educate' herself
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Your support makes all the difference.Jameela Jamil has vowed to become a “less problematic” and “less ignorant person”.
Speaking with transgender activist and model Munroe Bergdorf in an interview for Grazia magazine, the actor opened up about the things she has learned about herself during lockdown, which she has spent in Los Angeles with her boyfriend, musician James Blake.
Jamil, who hosts the I Weigh podcast about mental health and body positivity, said she was grateful for the time to reflect on her past actions as she had been too busy in recent years to do so.
“For the last couple of years, I've been so busy I haven't had time to learn and I think that contributed to a lot of the mistakes I've made,” she said.
“This has given me space to really investigate, learn, read and educate myself.
“I was so busy (before), I didn't have time to really know what I was talking about all the time and I feel very grateful for this pause in being able to, hopefully, become a less problematic, less ignorant person.”
The presenter went on to explain that she thinks she will also become a “more thoughtful person” moving forward and hopes people will understand when she is trying to help.
“I think I'll come out of this a more calm, thoughtful and careful person, more aware of the damage of having a 280-character Twitter word count,” she told Bergdorf.
“It's understandable for the public to not trust powerful people, so I've always known that everyone has always read the most evil possible intention into my every move, they always think I'm manipulative or I have an ulterior motive.
“No one can believe that I would genuinely just want to try and help.”
Jamil also addressed a recent anti-racism video featuring a group of celebrities, including Aaron Paul and Kristen Bell, saying it appeared “very performative”.
The video, posted earlier this month, saw the celebrities repeat the phrase “I take responsibility” and pledge to work towards “eradicating racism” in the US.
“I like some of the people in that video and I don't think any of them had bad intentions, the problem is it appears very performative,” Jamil admitted.
”Like you want to show people you care, rather than engaging in actual action. Nobody gives a flying f*** about celebrities and their ring lights. They want money and legislative pressure for change.“
Jamil also said that she was heartened by the younger generation, adding: “I feel very proud of Gen Z.
”Everything they are doing makes me feel jealous because they're so much more creative, emotionally intelligent and clued up than we were.“
You can read the full interview in Grazia magazine, on sale now.
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