How America Made Me A Feminist | Paulina Porizkova | TEDxAsburyPark

Paulina Porizkova: Supermodel, Feminist
Paulina has lived in four very different countries. She will share the commonalities, differences, and perceptions of women and how these countries have shaped her as a person and as a woman. A former supermodel, she is currently a writer and author of the novel “A Model Summer.”
Learn more at tedxasburypark.com/
Paulina has lived in four very different countries: Czechoslovakia, Sweden, France, and the U.S. She will share the commonalities, differences, and perceptions of women and how these four countries have shaped her as a person and as a woman. A supermodel, Paulina Porizkova was first a cover girl as a child refugee in Sweden before she became one in the fashion business in Paris in 1980. Never content to be just a pretty face, she turned to movies and TV, and later to writing. You can read Paulina’s NY Times Op-Ed piece "America Made Me a Feminist". www.nytimes.com/2017/06/10/op... “How America Made Me A Feminist” Paulina Porizkova has lived in four very different countries: Czechoslovakia, Sweden, France, and the U.S. She will share the commonalities, differences, and perceptions of women and how these four countries have shaped her as a person and as a woman. A supermodel, Paulina Porizkova was first a cover girl as a child refugee in Sweden before she became one in the fashion business in Paris in 1980. Never content to be just a pretty face, she turned to movies and TV, and later to writing. You can read Paulina’s NY Times Op-Ed piece "America Made Me a Feminist". This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@Alpha-Andromeda]

“I suppose the constant discomfort of the lace thong reminds you where your power lies” 😂 epic.

[@tiaturnbullchampionscoachi9587]

I like hearing a woman who has traveled sharing her experiences of how she was seen( treated) in different places. I find the cultural comparisons very interesting. I dont think she was trying to make a huge philosophical\ intellectual point but to speak candidly and openly about her observations to show us ourselves without worrying about how people would take it. I appreciate her openness and can relate her sharing to how I was treated as if I was supposed to embody some cultural box meant for women and girls. Yay for lookimg back and seeing it clearly for the first time.

[@me67226]

She is weird

[@ilincavlad5536]

I think it went much deeper than that. Through razor sharp humour, wit and brilliant intelligence, she made us deeply reflect on an important subject, making it palatable as she made us laugh..

[@laracroft8395]

Omg, Paulina, as a Czech woman, you are 100% correct about the way it works over here. Spot on. Nothing changed.

[@atheistcrusader1160]

Don't let feminism ruin your beautiful country full of rich history that you're not even aware of because why would you

[@sonamtashi7706]

@@atheistcrusader1160 Don’t confuse feminism for feminazis. If things are as bad in Czech as she says there were during her childhood then yeah they could do with a healthy moderate dose of feminism. Feminism is about gender equality & freedom, feminazis believe that as women they are inherently superior to men & are thus entitled b***hes.

[@srayanjacobs6530]

@@sonamtashi7706 feminism is about gender equality!? Heard that a lot. Greatest joke of 21st century.

[@sonamtashi7706]

@@srayanjacobs6530 Feminism was & should be about women striving for equal rights with men on the grounds that they’re equal & not lesser than men. What modern feminism has become is something worth being called feminazism.

[@Silversubs29078]

@@srayanjacobs6530 you're the greatest joke of the 21st century mate

[@estellewadsworth4187]

She is the most legendary supermodel ever. She is beautiful down to earth and lovely. I would love to be her friend. She is a gem 💎💎💎👌❤️❤️❤️

[@juliamarin4896]

This is Fascinating, and I have noticed similar differences just when moving from one state to another right here in the US of A - it's odd and uncomfortable sometimes.

[@gardensofthegods]

Interesting can you please tell me which states you have lived in and which differences you observed ?

[@DreamPrague]

That was beautifully said. I just watched an old interview of you on Jan Krause (trying to improve my Czech) and found you so charming, I'm glad I dug deeper and found this video 🤓

[@qrandrea2160]

Dream Prague I have seen it too , she was very sweet . Díky Jane Krausi , že jste Pavlínu pozval.

[@lenahuerta100]

Me too!!

[@material___]

Paulina is inspiring, and very intriguing. She is also someone who embraces aging. Our society is obsessed with 'youth' and that alone. It seems like once you age, you are fastly forgotten. Paulina you are still an icon !!!

[@jenison2985]

Bravo Paulina, a super intelligent beauty that speaks her mind and her experiences!! What a fantastic talk, thank you so much! Your voice is heard and appreciated 🙏❤️🥰

[@Jason-gt6ko]

Yeah, she's so brilliant she blew millions of dollars and ended up broke and irrelevant. What an inspiration!

[@source5729]

@@Jason-gt6ko Wow ~ how shallow. This woman made a choice to devote her life to raising her sons (since she didn’t have a mother for 7 years). Yes, naive, but her sons hold her in high esteem. She was obviously married to a narcissist & is finally learning how to value her worth.

[@Jason-gt6ko]

@@source5729 Paulina married a rich, unattractive, famous rockstar that was twice her age. I'm sure it was because she was so in love with him. Yet, I'm the one who's Shallow. Lmao 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 Do you even know who she married or are you commenting on blind speculation?!?!

[@TheForkOnTheLeftist]

@@Jason-gt6ko it's one year later but I salute you for speaking truth

[@RobL358]

Paulina is as beautiful today as she ever was walking the catwalk.

[@meghill4537]

She's so real and refreshing. Loved every second. Sharing this everywhere. More Paulina.

[@edithcarter3554]

Love this Ted talk. She is amazing.

[@veronikaj1089]

I was born in Czechoslovakia too.❤️💎 Paulina is an amazing woman.She is my favourite model with Adriana sklenarikova. Amazing character, beautiful inside and outside too.👍✌️💎

[@RhythmAddictedState]

What's up with all the dislikes? Smh. This was a great speech.

[@peggysullivan5396]

Probably Ric Ocasek

[@rubyfirefly2582]

@@peggysullivan5396 lol

[@lisalove511]

@@peggysullivan5396 he dead 😆

[@Brosnan-D007]

I don't see any dislikes.

[@seniorarubia]

Maybe Eppstein and Maxwell people dislikes she was on this planes too. Can't believe but it's true Naomi too

[@carmengeorgeweddings3906]

Many many good points

[@crystalparker100]

Paulina, don't forget that your power is in your attitude, not your looks. This was a great talk and you are a timeless beauty!

[@VincentFulco]

Outstanding, thought provoking delivery. Kudos!

[@Bowiefan4ever]

As a Swede, I loved this, and so true!

[@jonburrows2684]

I'm so thankful to our LGBTQI in America for ENDING once and for all Feminism here.

[@mtnpfi]

4 year old talk and 11:18 min more a topic than ever. Thanks, Paulina, for shining light in dark places👏💛

[@kimhannan4892]

Wow...she rocks!! I always liked her and I appreciate that she was in this forum to display how intelligent, insightful and amazing she is!

[@stephiecalhoun8945]

she is great!!! :)

[@garyinmarz8938]

"Being in a different location, it was like I was a different person" 1:32,,,, I would say that very few understand an believe this to be true.

[@racheldriscoll9710]

I have idolized this woman since the 80s....and she is still an inspiration. Beauty and brains, amazing

[@wendysea1693]

I love listening to Paulina👏

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Very cool, Paulina:-)

[@gipsiesrealm]

I love hearing her talk

[@jenjohnson1747]

When I am in Europe I am sooo flattered by how men treat me...so refreshing

[@MirelaRR]

Europe is a whole continent with 50 countries and in each one men are different lol

[@goodtimes8229]

I agree with @M. R. R lol, where in Europe?

[@Mrsbehavin59]

jen jo yes were in Europe did u travel....... when I arrived to the USA I received so many compliments on my legs - they actually blushed. While living in Sweden for 31 years and traveling extensively throughout Europe - I never once received a compliment on my - well shaped legs....... just curious... were did you travel?

[@Alpha-Andromeda]

@@Mrsbehavin59 that’s so American to compliment your legs lol. Hilarious! Thanks for sharing

[@Alpha-Andromeda]

@@Mrsbehavin59 also she said she liked the way they treated her. Did you think you were being treated well because they had noticed your legs? I think she meant something other than flattery of a body part.

[@ankitabhargava3708]

She is amazing

[@grassofpeace]

Love this beautiful and intelligent woman. I look up to her for more

[@nevinevenus2338]

so articulate! o my God!

[@xiqueira]

“An acrobatic session and a couple sneezes at the end.”

[@morganfisherart]

Haha! That was funny. Aerobic, is what she actually said.

[@nanettetabuac8664]

Wow! She is very articulate and funny. I was a huge fan of hers back in the 90’s and 80’s!!

[@elenaandrew8414]

Excellent speech!!

[@peopleplacesandperspective5564]

Funny delivery! She’s awesome! 👏✨

[@jonstirling9169]

She is so amazing.

[@mva6213]

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rondanorthrup8433]

Love this so true

[@victoriagiardinieri1904]

Yes!!!

[@marnlim]

Paulina rocks

[@richardmoglia5628]

More beautiful than ever.

[@edwardnardone7485]

she is amazing

[@victoriakawesa3558]

Wonderful, entertaining speech. Thank you Paulina🙏🏿❤🙏🏿

[@danielfisch389]

Class, in every aspect. Respect!

[@user-white-rabbit]

[@sarasam6392]

It is not equality, it should be fair between them.

[@mariamilo487]

This talk is disliked by so many people? Oh, come on, people, grow some brains

[@stevejarred6484]

I hope Paulina will keep on presenting herself as an "older (no offense intended) but wiser" woman. She seems even more attractive now because she has something to say.

[@toma-2807]

Она такая классная ,даже сейчас,красавица!

[@neltolans5044]

She was and is still beautiful, brains and mind are connected close to God's creation of Eve

[@AlongtheFarClimbDown843]

What a bummer!

[@vaquera9368]

@@MK10022 way to attack another woman’s view. Really shows your immaturity.

[@annechildress2721]

Smart lady!

[@user-white-rabbit]

Lady? Sure!

[@greatestshopper1077]

I love her! Well said...

[@lisamariepagliei3945]

She's right

[@yazminelle8331]

I'd like to have tea or coffee with this lady !

[@sandoristar7597]

So Sweden is bad because equality ??? Too many controversies in her speech.

[@julierose6196]

Bien Dit! Impressed and really appreciated her insights of the cultural differences of feminism as a global phenomenon. Quelle Femme Fantastique

[@lovehildagrey]

Beautiful Story, words More then her looks. How could a woman praised for her looks all her life be so down to earth? Such a RARE FIND

[@cellphonecinema3740]

Awesome person!!!

[@elmomz]

for any reasons the youtube algorithm didn´t spread the video of this awsome, entertaining and inspirational speech. Now, Jan 2022 let´s try together and give it a 2nd try !!!

[@Lommy9999]

Smart woman.

[@susancarillo7822]

Beauty and brain....

[@HurricaneIrene07]

Unlike the struggles of Everywoman just we were not supermodels.

[@cherylsomerfeldt8129]

I loved this and was shocked at the amount of dislikes. Why? Are you all men who do not want to hear the truth that gender is a societal construct and you are not really due anything innately, or are you an attractive young woman with the same misconception?

[@user-eo9js2lc2g]

c sw exactly all insecure men comments and dislikes 😆

[@bellepierre24]

The dislikes actually give credence to a lot of what she is saying.

[@paulgotik]

Well I didn't disliked but I don't agree with everything she said.

[@seanqphinney5235]

Gender is a societal construct? Hmmm. Got me stumped on that one.

[@erniebuchinski3614]

Why would the number of dislikes shock anyone, given the lowest common denominator that the various social media promote?

[@patriciadoallo9555]

She is beatiful always!!!

[@rich-ard-style6996]

I wonder did he take all her money that she had earned as a model and then wrote his will as he did by leaving nothing to her?

[@soaluc]

Yes, I saw a interview of her saying she was left basically poor. Felt really sorry for her, she was such a hard working model and pretty sure she had a lot of money from modelling. No wonder she is back in the spotlight

[@mymoonams]

Now, we can see how greedy Ric Ocasek was.

[@TheCelticwaters]

They were in the process of divorce and he had his will rewritten a month before he died. In his new will, he had said that Paulina had abandoned him, though from her perspective, she felt like it was an amicable break. She didn't abandon him; she very much wanted to remain friends. In fact, the morning she discovered him dead in bed, she had picked up a cup of coffee for him. She obviously had keys to the house, was kind enough to keep bringing him brew. But Ric was spiteful, and he left her and his kids from a previous marriage absolutely nothing. Sadly, Paulina had thrown most of her money into the marriage, and had felt very much betrayed and taken by him. From an interview in March, it looks like she's still struggling with grief and betrayal. It's such a sad story.

[@sunshine2049]

@@TheCelticwaters It seemed as though she made a huge profit on their townhouse that was recently sold for like 10 million? Whether that’s true or not I’m sure she’s where head of the rest of us financially

[@mrs.strompsenson288]

Paulina is an expert on being a beautiful smart woman. You can trust her.

[@br-xq1yz]

10:16 nice use of the term " clam up"

[@rachelrogers6795]

You go Paulina! Great summation of the different countries attitudes.

[@sonadora1942]

This is so inspiring. Thank you for such a great talk

[@karenhogan731]

Paulina is a wise intelligent amazing woman.

[@jorney74]

Super!!!

[@cwb1400]

The comments from men on here are insecure and hilarious. feminism wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for the way that men behave and treat women.

[@poocrayon4588]

And the comments wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the way feminists behave and women treat men so?

[@Silversubs29078]

@@poocrayon4588 you just proved her correct

[@claireandersongrahamkeller2744]

So sweet, funny and brilliant, wonderful!!!!

[@thanoskoumpanis9699]

I like this kind of femininity. Imagine women hitting on you!!!

[@Panwere36]

All anyone really needs to do to see the bent of most TEDx talk people is to see the videos they have "turned off comments" for. I am totally surprised they haven't for this one.

[@kittycat1050]

❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏

[@tatianaramos6193]

She lost me at the “first female president”. One: Hillary is a liar . Two: a woman should not be anything just for her gender. We need to earn it, regardless of being “ a woman”.

[@GreenTara2010]

Hillary did earn the presidency, she was highly competent and experienced. Too bad you refuse to see that because of your gender prejudice. This same gender prejudice always makes personal comments about women to bring them down rather than focus on their competency. You people do that same thing to ALL female candidates. It is this kind of attitude that prevents other women from being successful. Also, is so pathetic that all you can do is blame her for being dishonest when tRumpster tells a lie a minute. You have no faith in women and want to believe the patriarchal lies.

[@xxxnamkhaxxx]

WHY IS HILLARY STILL FREE? WHY IS BILL STILL FREE????

[@tatianaramos6193]

Yolanda72 she did imply it. Perhaps you should pay better attention. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@kamzamosweu2269]

Hillary as more qualified than TRUMP. If you want to talk about lies and a conman trump is your guy. You like to ignore all trump horrible history and pick one misconduct of his opponent and run it for a year as if they are equal, trump is master of fraud.

[@codacreator6162]

Said the next trophy wife.

[@parnaz1623]

she's so cool wtf

[@hansvontrier771]

she even acknowledged her privilege!! We love a self-aware queen!!

[@Soapandwater6]

I have seen an earlier clip of her where she also acknowledged her beauty, saying that she had to thank her parents for that and that it was not something that she had achieved or had anything to do with. Now that's humble.

[@kelrogers8480]

Excuse me? An orphan, growing up in a communist country? My dear, we ALL have privilege - AND we ALL have disadvantage as well. Many of us have had terrible lives, regardless of our race. So, what is YOUR privilege? And if you are so Woke, what are YOU doing to address your own privilege? You lead by example, okay? We will follow you.

[@Chrissepisje]

I love this speech right up until the point where she says America is the only country where anything is possible. FWIW, Germany, Finland, New Zealand, Denmark, Iceland and a plethora of others including the UK and Israel, for crying out loud, had female leadership long before the US put a woman on the ballot. As an expat that moved between a variety of countries I would have hoped that she'd recognize social mobility in the US is mostly fictional, as is the notion of democracy. But there is hope yet. :)

[@margaretmartine9430]

And that's the note she ended on. Don't you get it?

[@philomath67]

The only female leader worth a darn was Margaret Thatcher.

[@TheRapnep]

Stay where you are, Chris. Don't need ya. 🇺🇲

[@silo3com]

Was that supposed to be insightful?

[@786checkmate]

Notice the reaction of toxic feminists when a girl punches a boy for bullying her friend. Physical violence is never OK but the way the audience laugh like its cute has probably scarred that boy. The real truth is women like this don't want equality but superiority. To prove my point swap roles and notice how disgusted you feel if it was a boy punching a girl for bullying his friend and having an audience who laugh innocently Have a good day!

[@dcgallin]

!

[@schultz1966]

What privileges?

[@keithhh]

Reality slaps

[@marufhossain1638]

what is this lecture about???

[@pp-wh4hp]

About a woman who thinks she can randomly talk about stuff because she looks good so she can talk about her 'ted talk' on receptions.

[@michele21auntiem]

The subject of this talk is how women are treated in different cultures.

[@koul3709]

It’s about how foolish societies like to determine who women are, without actually letting the woman actually open her mouth and say two words. Pre-set scripts have already determined her worth as a human being, without any achievement or personal quality being observed. As long as you meet the “acceptable” parameters of the determined scripts, which vary cultures-by-culture, you will be told determinatively who you are, by others who have nothing to do with you. As if your worth isn’t intrinsic and unchanging and determined by your own self-opinion and self-respect. Thus comes her conclusion-women and their bodies are owned by others and society at-large in the United States. She just said it in a slightly more open-ended way to soften the blow.

[@daddyshoneygirlusa7030]

Yet,, in the US a Conservative woman is told she is not a real woman unless she votes "liberal:. True equality mans a woman is allowed to choose her OWN political views without backlash!!!!

[@angelrogo]

I would love Ric Ocasek would tell us his side of the story, because it seems completely the opposite of this speech.

[@Jason-gt6ko]

Funny that it's almost ALL women posting on here praising Paulina. Lol

[@philomath67]

Not this one. I do like her, but she's limited in her thinking things out...of what she supports and their consequences.

[@davidedeblasio1783]

male female, EACH have there role in Nature,,,, no laws rules can change that,,,,, thats what i see andi have traveled,,,,, cheers

[@andreaskrbyravn855]

Lol

[@blakesmith1033]

wife of Ric Ocaseck...a pop star...

[@ReasonNotFightFlight]

After the fall of the wall a woman could write that she had an interest in feminism on a grant application and get the grant to go west.

[@sunshinesun4662]

Yes great speech but not truth at all what she is saying about Czech people. I am from Czech and men are very different those days than they were in 1973

[@philomath67]

How are the "powerful" women in Sweden holding up to the invading Muslim hordes? You were a different person in Sweden in the 70s. You'd really be a different person there now.

[@trilabradorable]

Rick O left her out of his Will. So sad...

[@mymoonams]

Not only that, he stole her money too.

[@kjbennie9245]

He must obviously have his reasons.....she mustve done something horrendous!

[@AnastaciaInCleveland]

@@kjbennie9245 Oh, like still bringing him his coffee even though they were splitting up? That is how she found him dead, you see. No, Ocasek was being a petty, vindictive POS to her, and by cutting her out of the will, he stole the money that she had earned while they were married.

[@kjbennie9245]

@@AnastaciaInCleveland yaa I'm thinking now he was probably the one who caused all the problems. Well she seems to be in a good place now 😊. Hope it works out with her new man

[@AnastaciaInCleveland]

@@kjbennie9245 I hope so, too! 🙂

[@mtbiker4life918]

Women: 18- 25- ofcourse you can take me out to dinner on a date and pay. I get free drinks, and I get backstage plus vip access in the clubs where everyone else pays. Women: 25- 35 I'm a single mom, but I love to party and go out to eat. Younger men want me, and I'm a packaged deal. Women: 35-55 Are there any real men out there? What happened to chivalry? I have to leave work early to pick up my kids. I deserve equal pay. Marry me...I'm ready now. I have guy friends. Women: 55-65 I'm divorced and have my own place. I'm ready for true love. I don't do one night stands so keep swiping. My profile is on bumble, okcupid, plenty of fish, and Christian mingle.

[@ca8824]

How does a women with millions of dollars have "less options" than the average guy? She certainly isn't subject to the dictates of an employer the way the average man is. She has more healthcare options, more options in terms of whether to live - there's a big quality of life difference between exurban Missippi and Beverly Hills or Manhattan. She has more options on where her kids will be educated. And she has more options on how to plan her retirement and the life she'll have should she need eldercare assistance. She may have less options than a man of equal wealth, though at that comfort level, I wonder how impactful the practical difference would be - maybe the man would feel more comfortable to go on a night time jog whereas she'd feel safer indoors on her brand new Pelaton? And really how many 50 year old millionaire men find themselves on solo midnight runs? Systemic sexism definately exists in this country, but with the erosion of the middle class and the rise of inequity I don't think it's in good taste or correct for rich women to be putting themselves below the average Jane or the average Joe.

[@juliaxo2872]

I feel the opposite. I feel patronized if a man doesn’t hold the door open for me.

[@goodtimes8229]

lol I can't tell if you're joking or not.

[@radar0412]

But Paulina DOESN'T want a guy who will shop, cook and clean. Those guys aren't masculine enough for Paulina.

[@aotctd]

lol I HIGHLY DOUBT that It is normal for men to also do that these days

[@radar0412]

@@aotctd If Paulina wanted just a Normal Guy, she wouldn't be whining. She needs to stay in her Lane and stop blaming Guys she can't get.

[@aotctd]

@@radar0412 She has a guy.

[@aotctd]

@@radar0412 You people need to up the ante with your own game, be a little more kind, then yall would attract others too.

[@radar0412]

@@aotctd Correct. She has a regular guy now JUST LIKE I TOLD YOU. Maybe YOU can learn from Paulina and start accepting what's available to YOU instead of having unrealistic expectations from others who aren't available to You. Remember me for that. So long kid.

[@anonymous-cx7ng]

Go to the Middle East

[@locutusofnubz]

So basically no matter how a woman is treated she's never happy. Got it.