Eighteen-year-old Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson is someone I have grown to admire since my obsession over Duck Dynasty bloomed a couple of months ago. With over 2.4 million Instagram followers, 1.62 million Twitter followers and runner-up in season 19 of "Dancing with the Stars," you’ve most likely heard of this God-loving, dimple smiling, funny gal. I do not personally know Sadie, however, I feel as if she and I are great friends. I have had the chance to connect with her through her posts on social media and her YouTube videos (which have also reached over a million views), and I even had the chance to read her book, "Live Original."
Growing up during the reign of the Kardashians and tabloids, the media tends not to cover positive role models young women, girls or anyone for that matter can look up to. Yes, I may be older than Sadie, but that doesn’t make her any less of a role model in my eyes. Finding someone who shares my beliefs, doesn’t conform to societal norms, and has a positive, upbeat outlook on life is a great for a college girl such as myself. For those who have not heard of Sadie Robertson, here are my top three reasons why I look up to her.
1. Her Faith
Sadie has never been afraid to declare her faith and how much impact God has in her life. She constantly talks about being a Christian, whether that be the struggles of being a young Christian in society nowadays or how amazing it can be to pray to God and have Him as a constant companion in your life. Sadie continuously acknowledges her faith and how she spreads it wherever she goes in life and encourages others to do the same. Her daily prayers and bible quotes intertwined in her Instagram posts or tweets have been shared, retweeted and liked over a few hundred thousand times each day. Sadie has shown me time and time again how connecting with my religion is empowering and the best kind of relationship is one with God.
2. Her Style
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it would be Sadie’s impeccable style. I selfishly admit there is no other closet I would want in this world more than Sadie Robertson’s, and it’s not just because of her clothing line with famous fashion designer, Sherri Hill. Sadie dresses in a way I believe all girls should dress for, and that is for ourselves. I have never seen Sadie in a revealing top or dress, or showing off her body in any provocative way, which is yet another reason why I look up to her. Celebrities such as Kylie Jenner often post revealing, "sexy" pictures that leave little to the imagination. Too many celebrities are posting sexualized photos, which feeds into society norms and filters into young girls' minds, making them believe that in order to get more likes, you have to share more skin.
Sadie is fresh in the way that her clothes and clothing line empower girls to respect themselves and their bodies by wearing modest necklines and appropriate skirt length, which helps promotes inner beauty and confidence. There is no dress code in college, people can wear whatever they like. I constantly feel pressure to wear a crop top, a shirt that might cut a little too low or something else I would never feel comfortable wearing, but Sadie helps remind me that I should be dressing for myself and what I feel comfortable in. Doing that helps my self-confidence skyrocket.
3. To live original.
Sadie’s biggest platform has been her live original stance on life, which stems from a YouTube video called “Just Be You and Live Original" which has over 3 million views. When I had first watched this video, I was speechless. Here was this beautiful girl talking about all of her insecurities she has and with each point she made, I found myself agreeing whole-heartily. I have always struggled with self-confidence and had never truly been at a point in my life where I was genuinely happy with myself. I constantly struggled with my own self-image and was probably feeling my absolute worse in life when this video was posted. This video had an overwhelming affect on me, as if the cloud of insecurities had vanished by the rays of confidence this video radiated.
This video teaches all viewers to live original and set your own goals, not to look and compare what others have to what you have. Sadie talks about how comparing yourself to others only does harm. Comparing promotes judgmental behavior and insecurities. The only person you should be striving to be is the best version of yourself. I can honestly say how refreshing it is to have a famous celebrity talk about being yourself instead of trying to look like every other famous celebrity or girl in the world. Seeing Sadie make this video and become completely vulnerable with no make-up on and in her PJs has made me feel more confident in myself in almost every aspect of my life (especially when it comes to picking up my late Chinese takeout in my PJs with no makeup on).
Having Sadie Robertson as a role-model in my life has had a strong, positive impact. Sure, one might find it crazy to look up to someone younger than me, or someone famous whom I have never met, but if there is one thing Sadie has taught me, is to never care about what others have to say about you. I feel as if I have a friend in my life who I can look to for comfort while away at college when I am doubting myself or feeling the pressures society has on me and my friends. Having a role model in life is a necessity, and who knows, you could become one yourself along the way!
