From a secret Twitter account to Apple podcasts – what will Malala do next?
I didn’t realise that you’re not the same person all the time. You change as well and you’re growing.
Malala Yousafzai – Vogue
It doesn’t take Malala long to get back in ‘Vogue’ – Oh yes, she might be on the cover today, but she’s been in the news on and off throughout the past 10 odd years! Whether you’ve been her critic or a follower, Malala’s latest interview is turning heads and here’s why!
Malala Yousafzai recently appeared on the cover of Vogue Magazine’s June issue. In conversation with Sirin Kale, Malala made some interesting revelations and since, then Twitter has exploded. Photographed by Nick Knight, Malala looked stunning on the cover of Vogue.
Malala, 23 is the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize and is now an Oxford graduate. Her campaigning for girl’s rights to education began when she was 11 and by the age of 15, she was shot by the Taliban. However, she made a miraculous recovery and since then has been unstoppable.
She wrote her autobiography, “I am Malala” which became an international bestseller. After launching the Malala Fund, she also addressed the UN Youth Assembly. As one chapter closes in her life, she continues to thrive and has new projects in line.
Her recent interview with Vogue has everyone in a buzz. However, if you haven’t had time to read her interview yet, we have you! Here are 10 things that Malala disclosed to Vogue:
1 . What The Headscarf Means To Her
Malala owns her headscarf and considers it part of an identity. In public she would wear it on her head while the rest of the time, she revealed, she is more relaxed and would tie it around her neck loosely.
“It’s a cultural symbol for us Pashtuns, so it represents where I come from. And Muslim girls or Pashtun girls or Pakistani girls, when we follow our traditional dress, we’re considered to be oppressed, or voiceless, or living under patriarchy. I want to tell everyone that you can have your own voice within your culture, and you can have equality in your culture.”
Malala in her interview with vogue
2. Even Malala Has Existential Crisis Like The Rest of us!
Despite her long list of achievements, Malala admitted that once in a while she has an existential crisis like any of us. She admitted in her interview that at times she will stay awake till 2 am thinking about her future – should she continue living with her parents, pursue a job, travel or enroll for Masters? Well, doesn’t that make her even more relatable?
3. Lockdown Well Spent
Late nights staring at your phone and binge-watching a new series? Or just lying in bed all day doing absolutely nothing? Well … hmm we are certainly guilty of that. But what about Malala?
She lived with her parents during the lockdown in England and played a lot of Among Us in her room while trying to work out what she wanted to do in future. In the meantime, she slept, enjoyed her mother’s lamb curry and read books. She revealed that she has challenged herself to read 84 books this year!
4. Her New TV Show
Malala is not coming slow and she proved this by announcing a multi-year partnership with Apple TV+ – also home to Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg – and the launch of a brand-new production company, ‘Extracurricular’ in March.
Malala loves TV shows and we will be seeing the fruit of her efforts next year. Animations, dramas, children’s shows – it’s all in the works. She also hopes to give a platform to talent from around the world.
“I want these shows to be entertaining and the sort of thing I would watch,” she says of overseeing the early stages of development. “If I don’t laugh at them or enjoy them, I won’t put them on-screen,” she continues, firmly.
Malala
5. Malala’s secret Twitter account!
“I had a secret Twitter account for a year,” she reveals, “before I joined officially, and I had, like, 4,000 followers or something. I was doing really well.” (Post-reveal, she has 1.8 million and counting.)
6. Die-hard Ted Lasso Fan
Malala is a huge Ted Lasso fan, partly because the star of the Apple TV+ hit has a mustache similar to her dad’s.
7. Tim Cook and Michelle Obama are all praises for Malala
Former First Lady, Michelle Obama and Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple since 2011, had nothing but praises when asked about her.
Tim Cook (Image Credits: The Software Report) 
Michelle Obama (Image Credits: Popsugar)
Here is what Cook had to say!
“She has a lifetime of experience in 23 years,” says Cook. “She has the story of her life, all of her accomplishments, and she’s focused on making a difference in the world. She has a North Star, which always impresses me about people. And despite all of this success, she’s humble and really down to earth and just a joy to spend time with. She’s amazing.”
Tim Cook about malala in a video conference
Michelle also had only positive remarks to add about her!
“but here’s the thing: it’s all true. She’s truly extraordinary. Barack and I first met Malala when she visited the White House in 2013, and right away, it was clear she belonged in a room with the President of the United States. Her poise, her wisdom and her earnest belief in the power of every girl – it all couldn’t have been clearer from that very first meeting.”
Michelle obama about malala via email
8. Her Friend Circle
Malala is friends with the 18-year-old climate change activist Greta Thunberg, who visited her at Oxford, and 21-year-old gun control campaigner Emma González. She revealed that they both text her for advice! Our girl is giving some major friendship goals!
9. All Things Oxford & McDonald’s
About Malala her best friend, Vee Kativhu said about her Oxford life: “She came into university as an adult, and left it as a young adult.”
For Malala her days in Oxford were an escape from her celebrity life. It was her first opportunity to explore life as a young girl. For starters, she didn’t even mention anything about her Nobel Prize in her personal statement to Oxford.
Going to McDonald’s [a sweet chilli chicken wrap and a caramel frappe is her go-to order] or playing poker with my friends or going to a talk or an event.
Malala about her life in oxford
When it came to her studies, Malala did admit that she struggled to try to keep up with the pack of brilliant minds. She said she opted for fun and socializing and was happy to be an average student there.
10. Her view on friendships, family and relationships!
Malala said she still lives with her parents and we could judge by her tone that she loves having her friends around who can make her feel like herself. When asked about romantic relationships she did say that she hoped to find someone who was loving and supportive. In addition, she added:
“I still don’t understand why people have to get married. If you want to have a person in your life, why do you have to sign marriage papers, why can’t it just be a partnership?”
In the end she concluded by adding:
“Even until my second year of university … I just thought, I’m never going to get married, never going to have kids – just going to do my work. I’m going to be happy and live with my family forever … I didn’t realise that you’re not the same person all the time. You change as well and you’re growing.”
What Is It About Malala That Bothers Our (Desi) Sentimentalities … On Twitter?
What Twitter Had To Say!
Just like Malala twitter had a lot to say! Here is what twitter has to say about Malala’s Vogue cover and interview!
It certainly cannot be denied that she looks stunning!
Sirin herself is all praises for Malala!
Assuredly, all our prayers are with her!
While it is perfect to express your opinion, hate is a strong emotion that should not be directed towards anyone!
Can’t deny! I want it as well!
Not only courage, but a combination of ambition and determination as well!
And yes of course she definitely did win our hearts!
We are nothing but proud of Malala and wish her success on her ventures ahead! She has made Pakistan proud multiple times and this is just one of them!
Great article Zainab!!
Thank you so much!