Model Iskra Lawrence Strips on the Subway to Protest Body Shaming

While Iskra Lawrence started her career as a model, she’s set herself apart in the industry by becoming a body positive advocate. For one of her latest attention-raising stunts, the 26-year-old delivered an empowering speech on accepting one’s own body in the most unconventional way — by stripping on the subway in New York City.

“I want to make myself vulnerable today, so you can see truly the journey I’ve come on with my own body and how I feel about myself today,” she said to the packed subway car in the video, which was posted to her own channel and has received more than 45,000 views since it was posted on Sunday. “So I’m gonna reveal myself to you to prove that we are in control of how we feel about ourselves. No one else holds our self-worths but us.” The model then took off her black dress to reveal her bra and underwear. At this point, commuters started to pay attention.

Lawrence spoke passionately on the importance of not letting self-worth be determined by societal beauty norms and the media. As she explained, this is something that she did, having grown up with insecurities regarding her cellulite, lack of a thigh gap, and overall belief that she wasn’t thin enough.

“This body is not just something to be objectified, to be grabbed, to be looked at. This is my vessel, this is my home. I respect it,” she said. “No matter what I’m wearing right now, do not judge me because I am more than what I am.” She urged the crowd to appreciate their bodies upon looking in the mirror, not pick out insecurities imprinted by society.

The model then shared what she wants people to take away from her performance. “What I really hope by sharing this with you today is that you are gonna see yourself differently. Every single one of us has so much value, so much worth. It’s so much more than just skin,” she concluded. Her powerful speech was met with applause from most of the travelers.

Many users have praised Lawrence on social media platforms for her bold gesture.

In an Instagram post featuring a clip from the full video, Lawrence added the caption, “Now more than ever we need to share our voices. Minorities, POC, women, the LGBTQ+ community, we all have so much power and the more we share, listen & learn from each other we can grow. Hopefully one day we can all live a non judgmental world full of love for one another. Appreciating the value in others and ourselves. Knowing we are equal and choosing to empower each other. It starts right now and it’s the choices we make everyday.”

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