Top 5 Things to Know About Amandla Stenberg
#5: She Played Rue in “The Hunger Games”
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The smash hit of 2012, “The Hunger Games”, is based on the popular book series of the same name that began to be released in 2008. The film is set in the fictional nation of Panem, where once a year 24 children between the ages of 12 and 18 compete in a winner-take-all battle to the death. Amandla Stenberg played Rue, a 12-year-old girl who becomes a friend and ally to the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. While she is only in the film for a few scenes, Stenberg’s character manages to pack a serious emotional punch.
#4: She Went to Her Prom with Jaden Smith
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Unlike most girls her age, Amandla Stenberg didn’t have to stress when her high school prom rolled around. Instead, she went with fellow actor Jaden Smith, who many will recognize as the son of Hollywood royalty Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. The two up-and-comers posed for pictures together, with Stenberg rocking a bronze dress and Smith choosing to wear a black blazer over a lengthy black and white shift dress, accessorizing with a white and gold fingerless glove. The two actors must have made quite the entrance upon arrival!
#3: Amandla Means “Power”
You probably thought it was a typo, but Amandla is her real name, and its meaning is downright awesome! According to the Los Angeles native, her mother decided to call her Amandla after hearing the 1989 Miles Davis album of the same name. She later discovered that Amandla means “power” in Zulu and Xhosa, two South African languages. In fact, protesters would regularly shout “Amandla Awethu” during anti-apartheid rallies, which means, “power to the people”. It sounds like it’s really the perfect name for this dedicated and empowered young woman.
#2: She Calls People Out for Cultural Appropriation
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For years, cultural appropriation has occurred in various forms throughout the entertainment world. However, this is not something that Amandla Stenberg takes lightly. In fact, she and a friend made a video that explained why adopting black culture to gain attention is harmful, and bluntly asked “What would America be like if it loved black people as much as it loves black culture?” Stenberg backed up the statement by calling out social media and reality TV star Kylie Jenner after she posted a photo of herself to Instagram sporting cornrows, going so far as to include to the sarcastic hashtag #whitegirlsdoitbetter.
#1: She’s a Multi-Talented Musician
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If by now you’re still not head-over-heels for Amandla Stenberg, this fact ought to do it. Not only is she a fantastic actor with a badass name who takes other celebrities to prom before shutting down cultural appropriation, Stenberg is also a multi-talented folk-rock musician! In 2013, she began making music with her friend Zander Hawley, and two years later, they released an EP under the name Honeywater. Stenberg plays the violin and sings, but is also capable of playing the guitar and the drums. Damn, is there anything this girl can’t do?! Watch out world, Amandla Stenberg is coming for you!
