A YouTube Star Wants Women Everywhere To Do THIS! (Are You Game?)

Photo: weheartit
lilly singh

If you're not a big YouTube user, you may be missing out on the uniqueness that is Lilly "Superwoman" Singh. From comedy skits inspired by her Indian heritage to touching messages to her fans (whom she lovingly calls her "unicorns"), Lilly is that type of YouTuber who lives up to her username. 

Eighty-four percent of Lilly's 7 million subscribers are girls, and this holiday season, the Canadian decided to give back in the best way she knows possible — through YouTube. She just recently released a video called "The #GirlLove Challenge," calling for a worldwide campaign against girl-on-girl hate. (See video at bottom of article.)

It's an issue that has existed for years: women turning on other women for even the most frivolous things like wearing the same dress or liking the same guy. We see it in the media all the time. Movies pit the cheerleader against the nerdy girl and magazines have "Who Wore It Better?" sections.

Lilly has a simple solution to help change women's attitudes toward other women: She's encouraging her 6 million YouTube fans (and you!) to compliment other women and to strive to bring each other up, instead of competing and tearing one another down. 

"More than anything, I believe that women are so capable of destroying girl-on-girl hate," she says. "I mean, after all, we helped bring it to life."

So who exactly is Lilly Singh and why is she so passionate about destroying this ideal? Here are 7 fun facts:

1. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from York University.

Before becoming a Youtube sensation, Lilly worked at an Occupational Therapy and Rehabiliation Center and had her own Banghra dance team turned entertainment company, Nachde Tapde Punjabi.

Although she believes in the importance of formal education, she encourages her viewers to also learn from their life experiences, and when presented with an opportunity, to grab it. Although she didn't stay in the psychology field, she took a risk and continued doing what she loves the most: making videos that make other people laugh. 

2. She loves food and The Rock.

Lilly may be a vegetarian, but she prides herself in her love for food. And when she met Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson for the first time, let's just say that it was a dream come true for her and her viewers. 

Why mention these two? Because for Lilly, it's OK to be obsessed with something you are passionate about. It makes you who you are, and there is no shame in that. And we shouldn't shame anyone else for their obsessions, right?

3. She struggled with depression for a long time.

One of the reasons Lilly started making videos was to fight her depression, to remind herself and others struggling of the positive things in life. She admits in some of her videos that she would still feel herself going back into that dark place, which makes her relatable to the viewers coping with the same thing.

Because if Lilly, a successful and happy-go-lucky Internet star can have dark moments and still find reasons to smile, then so can they.

4. She went from an "equalist" to a "feminist."

She made a video identifying herself as an "equalist," because she believed in equality between men and women. But, after being called out about her misguided definition of feminism, she did her own research, and began identifying as a feminist. She even apologized to her viewers for the previous stance.

5. She has her own "squad" that could rival Taylor Swift’s.

Lilly has a tight-knit group of friends (shown in her numerous collabs and in the #GirlLove video) made up of both YouTube stars, such as Hanna Hart and Colleen Ballinger (aka Miranda Sings), and famous celebrities like Pretty Little Liars' Shay Mitchell and most, recently, her girl crush, Selena Gomez.

Instead of competing for YouTube fame, this squad shares the love by appearing in one another's videos.

6. Although she parodies them in videos, Lilly's parents are her biggest supporters.

Although Lilly parodies her parents (dubbed "Manjeet" and "Paramjeet") in her videos as "typical Indian parents" who are utterly disinterested in her YouTube fame, the opposite is true. Her parents enthusiastically support and cheer on their daughter, even though, at first, they weren't sure if she was going to succeed.

The only time viewers see Lilly's real parents are in her daily vlogs. She prefers to keep them out of the spotlight and away from vicious YouTube commenters

7. Proceeds from views of the #GirlLove video will go to the Malala Fund for educating girls around the world.  

Once again showing that the best way to beat girl-on-girl hate is to empower and encourage young girls to be the best they can be. Together with this "Superwoman," we can show "how awesome it is to support one another and build women up."

Check out the video below and contribute to #GirlLove!

YouTube