Monica Lewinsky joined the trend started by Taylor Swift’s song “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” by humorously referencing her past trauma in a viral tweet. The song’s lyrics inspired fans to share photos of places or things that shaped their identities, with the line “You wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum where they raised me” serving as a prompt. Despite the serious nature of the lyrics, many fans took a lighthearted approach to the trend, making jokes and memes about their experiences. Lewinsky’s tweet, featuring a photo of the White House, gained widespread attention with over 11 million views in less than 24 hours, solidifying her as the winner of the trend.
In her early 20s, Lewinsky was an intern at the White House where she had an affair with then-President Bill Clinton, ultimately leading to his impeachment in 1998. Following the scandal, Lewinsky faced harsh public scrutiny and became an advocate against cyberbullying. Despite the passage of time, she continued to struggle with finding employment and supporting herself as the public stigma surrounding her actions persisted. Lewinsky recounted the difficult transition from a private individual to a publicly scrutinized figure in a 2021 interview, highlighting the lasting impact of the scandal on her personal and professional life.
As part of her efforts to reclaim her narrative and address the consequences of cancel culture, Lewinsky co-produced the HBO Max documentary “15 Minutes of Shame,” which explored the effects of public shaming. She also collaborated on the FX series “Impeachment: American Crime Story,” delving into her affair with Clinton and shedding light on the dynamics of power and age in their relationship. Despite initially facing backlash and criticism, Lewinsky continued to use her platform to advocate for women’s empowerment and encourage civic engagement, as seen in her partnership with Reformation to promote voting and female voice amplification.
Through her various projects and initiatives, including producing documentaries and advocating for women’s rights, Lewinsky has sought to leverage her experiences to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of public shaming and the importance of self-empowerment. Despite the challenges and setbacks she encountered in the aftermath of the scandal, Lewinsky remained resilient and committed to advocating for social change. By sharing her story and engaging in conversations about power dynamics, consent, and resilience, Lewinsky has emerged as a vocal advocate for women’s rights and empowerment, using her platform to inspire others to use their voices to effect positive change in society and combat social stigma and injustice.
