Amanda Gorman

Photo Courtesy Of Amanda Gorman 

WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
Cambridge, Massachusetts. I came here to study at Harvard University in 2016.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY OR HOMETOWN?
I love the diversity and inclusivity of Los Angeles. It’s a hub of artists and storytellers, which I love, and it’s so incredibly vibrant. I also love the geography - I can take the freeway to the mountains, to the ocean, or to the nearby Grapevine valley.

WHAT WERE YOUR ASPIRATIONS GROWING UP?
I always wanted to be an artist. I knew I wanted to do something creative. At first I dreamed of becoming  a visual artist. I loved painting, especially with watercolors. Soon I realized that painting was a way for me to visually depict the stories I wanted to write. So every now and then I’ll sketch an image to sum up the ideas or characters for a written piece, but I spend most of my time writing.

WHY POET?
I often say that poetry is a form of rebellion in itself. Poetry for me is a way to dance outside traditional expectations of prose and also to explore a writing form that is so rooted in spoken word and performance. It’s captivating all around.

WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND?
I spent kindergarten through high school senior year at New Roads school, a progressive school in Los Angeles, California. It really prepared me to think critically of the world and information around me, and to push myself to be an active member in whatever community I exist in. Now I go to Harvard University, where I study Sociology and English. I love Harvard, there’s so much knowledge and wisdom at my fingertips, from the game-changing professors to my fellow students.

WHAT'S YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
My creative process is very repetitive. I need tradition to get material from myself habitually. If it’s not too cold, usually I go to the river, grab a seat, and write in my journal while listening to music. Before hand, I like to write down interesting words I heard that day in conversation, on street signs, in other poems, and see if they can find an organization place in a new poem. But I definitely like being around nature when I can while writing.

WHAT THEMES DO YOU SEEK TO EVOKE?
That depends on each poem. I try to explore themes of social and environmental justices self-reflection, identity, history, etc. Many a time it’s not what I want to evoke in my reader, but what I want to evoke in myself. What do I want to rethink?

WHO OR WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE?
The strong women I’m surrounded by have always been a great influence on me. From my mother and my sister to my writing mentors, I’m surrounded by a clan of confident and kind women who have always encouraged me to go after my dreams.

HOW DOES YOUR ARTISTIC EXPRESSION TRANSLATE IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF YOUR LIFE? 
 It’s definitely in my veins to always think creatively. Sophia Amoruso says when you’re making a smoothie, try to make it the best smoothie ever, and that’s something I agree with all across life. Whenever I’m in the dining hall, I’m thinking of new ways to combine the food set out. My friends always laugh at how creative and gourmet-looking my plate seems! Or, even in Sociology class, I’m always thinking of what metaphors I can use to better describe my theories, or what visual representations can best get my analysis across in Government classes.

WHAT BEAUTY ROUTINE DO YOU SWEAR BY?
I love the song "You’re Never Truly Dressed Without a Smile" from "Annie". When I’m stressed, I have terrible break outs. So I first try to keep up a regimen of self-care that helps me feel pampered. Moisturizing face masks and scrubs, soothing face cleansers. Applying these actually help calm me, some. I’m accomplishing two things, soothing myself and my face.

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO OUTSIDE OF YOUR STUDIES?
 I love reading, when I can. Also hanging out with friends is always fun, we love putting on a cheesy movie and watching it together in the dorm.

HOW DO YOU RETURN TO CENTER?
I meditate. I'm obsessed with the soundtracks to film - instrumental music, since it doesn't have lyrics, helps me focus on my own thoughts in a really intuitive level. There's nothing better than closing my eyes and listening to a beautiful score by Hans Zimmer or Michael Giacchino.