Lana Condor gives advice on how to be confident without a filter

In the past two years, Lana Condor has become a household name. Having previously acted in movies like X-Men: Apocalypse and Patriots Day, it was Netflix’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before that really put her on the map, garnering her millions of fans. With the second installment of the hit YA love story premiering in February, we have a feeling that we’re going to be seeing a lot more of the 22-year-old.

Most recently, on top of her already impressive resume, Lana is adding the title of “role model” to her list of accolades. On Jan. 23, it was revealed that she is one of the newest Aerie Real Role Models and is joining the likes of Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, body-positive model Iskra Lawrence and other real-life changemakers in the brand’s fight to show the next generation that imperfections are something to be celebrated.

In The Know caught up with the star on the day of the big announcement at Aerie’s New York headquarters to get the inside scoop on her new role and how she lives an unretouched life — watch the video above to hear from Lana herself!

Lana shared that when it comes to feeling that sense of inner confidence we’re all striving for, everyone can all benefit from being a little kinder to themselves. “I’m constantly trying to reprogram the narrative in my head. That little voice that sometimes will get ya,” she said.

And while Lana is no stranger to being in front of the camera, it still can be intimidating. She also shared that her role model shoot with Aerie was actually her first photoshoot where she wasn’t retouched.

“Aerie does all of their photos with no retouching. That’s scary. I’ve done hundreds of shoots and pretty much all of them, there’s some sort of retouching. So this actually I think was my first shoot, where there was zero retouching. So I, myself, was nervous and that’s okay. I’m not gonna pretend like ‘I felt 100 percent great with myself.’ I was nervous of course.”

“But what was so amazing, that I showed up to work and the whole Aerie team was just so positive and loving and celebrated every part of who I am as Lana,” she continued.

All of the Aerie Real Role Models. Credit: Aerie/Andrew Buda

While at Aerie HQ on the day the role models were announced, In The Know also sat down with two other brand new role models: sustainability activist Manuela Barón and DJ and wellness advocate, Tiff McFierce

When asked how it felt for Manuela to now be able to call herself an Aerie role model, she said: “It feels amazing. It feels like being a part of a supportive community. It’s just a dream come true to work with a brand that aligns so much with my values and really challenges norms and is constantly creating change.”

The energy at Aerie that day was palpable. It was clear that there wasn’t a moment to waste for these new ladies — they are already well on their way for getting involved and inspiring the next generation of young people.

Tiff shared: “I hope to inspire [young people] to know that they are enough, so they don’t have to feel like they have to conform or change. They just need to keep getting to know parts of themselves and uncovering parts of themselves.”

Learn more about this year’s class of Aerie Real Role Models here.

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