
Sushmita Sen inspires youth to embrace self-worth and acceptance at leadership event
The former Miss Universe encouraged students to stay true to themselves and lead with compassion and confidence. Addressing the students, Sen said, 'You will be surrounded by the people who will be calling you beautiful left, right, and center, and it has nothing to do with physicality. But if physically, something makes you feel better about yourself, then by all means go ahead with it and don't listen to anybody. It's your life, your identity; be accepting of yourself so that you are not judging of another.'
On July 15, Sushmita Sen, actress Vidya Balan, and Smriti Irani, former Union Cabinet Minister, appeared before a gathering of students at the 10th edition of India's International Movement to Unite Nations (I.I.M.U.N.) 'Role Model Series,' held in Bandra and moderated by the organization's founder, Rishabh Shah. Sharing her thoughts on women's empowerment and gender parity, Vidya Balan shared, 'I really think that we were all created equal. Yes, some of us are more of a certain thing and less of a certain thing. Men have more physical strength, while women have greater EQ.'
The 'Sherni' actress added, 'There were kids from different age groups, and I truly had a great time interacting with them. I was trying to speak their language- the Gen Z lingo and we were all laughing together. The atmosphere was so joyful.'
Balan also expressed her fondness for being around children and praised I.I.M.U.N. for its ongoing commitment and impactful initiatives. 'I always love interacting with kids. It felt really good. IIMUN is doing a fantastic job. The entire team has been working for years, and because of that, awareness and confidence among the youth are increasing. They're becoming citizens of the world, and I think that's fantastic.'
The event was co-curated to foster meaningful connections between inspiring personalities and young audiences.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
10 hours ago
- Business Standard
'Great Jeans': Sydney Sweeney campaign fuels American Eagle rally
American Eagle Outfitters surged 10 per cent on Thursday after unveiling a new denim campaign with Sydney Sweeney, as the apparel retailer bets on the "Euphoria" and "The White Lotus" actress to reconnect with Gen Z shoppers and boost sales. The company has partnered with Sweeney for its fall season denim collection that includes a limited-edition denim jacket as well as a "The Sydney Jean." The campaign, called "Sydney Sweeney Has Great (American Eagle) Jeans," is the company's latest effort to revive demand as it navigates muted consumer spending and higher potential costs due to tariffs. The retail industry in the United States has been struggling to spur demand as consumers grappling with financial constraints cut back on non-essential buys, including apparel and accessories. In May, American Eagle, which primarily sources from China, pulled its annual forecasts due to tariff uncertainty. "(The campaign) is its bid to stand out more and make some noise. Denim is popular right now, so putting money behind marketing it makes sense for American Eagle," GlobalData managing director Neil Saunders said. The Sweeney partnership is not the first time a celebrity tie-up has helped drive shares of a company. In 2020, Crocs shares jumped after singer Justin Bieber teased a collaboration with the shoe maker. American Eagle has previously teamed up with celebrities, including tennis player Coco Gauff and actress Jenna Ortega. "Well known personalities are always an easier way to tell a story quickly. It is one of the reasons athlete endorsements work so well," BMO Capital Markets analyst Simeon Siegel said. Sweeney's campaign, which launched on Wednesday and is reportedly the company's most expensive campaign to date, will also run across the exosphere of Las Vegas's 3D display orb Sphere. American Eagle's stock was discussed on retail trader-focused social media forums including Stocktwits and Reddit, indicating interest among small-time traders who have driven up shares of retailer Kohl's and other highly shorted names in recent days. Short interest in the company, whose shares were trading at $12 on Thursday, stood at 12.2 per cent of public float, according to LSEG data.


Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Vogue's flawless AI models debut in August issue — and longtime readers are cancelling subscriptions over it
Vogue's August issue has sparked intense debate by featuring 'AI models' instead of humans in some editorial shoots. The magazine labels each AI-enhanced image with a warning explaining it was 'produced with artificial intelligence,' alongside designer and producer credits. The flawlessly perfect body proportions flaunting luxury items are clearly AI-generated, and readers are cancelling subscriptions. Vogue's August issue with Anne Hathaway on the cover comes with AI models Inside the issue starring Anne Hathaway on the cover, Vogue introduces a digital lineup that looks straight out of a rendering engine. The AI-generated models appear alongside real products from high-end fashion houses, flaunting pristine skin, symmetrical features, and body proportions that seem custom-built for visual perfection. From sculpted cheekbones to digitally flawless complexions, each frame looks more like a luxury video game screenshot than a real-life editorial. The models are dressed in the season's latest couture and posed in stylised backdrops. While many have claimed that this tech-assisted approach allows for greater creative freedom, faster execution, and visual consistency across layouts, readers feel it lacks the rawness and personality that real models bring to the page. Vogue's August issue has begun to use 'AI models' instead of human models for some of their photoshoots. Fans react to AI-generated models Some fans argue that these computer-generated models strip away the human artistry that fashion is built on. Real models spend years mastering their craft—from walking and posing to enduring gruelling shoot schedules, intense skincare prep, strict fitness regimes, and the mental toll of constantly being camera-ready. They say that using AI imagery diminishes the dedication and physical effort that goes into professional modelling, replacing hard-earned authenticity with synthetic perfection. One user said, "Had to end the Vogue magazine subscription I've had for years because the latest magazine used AI models??? In Vogue? AI models in Vogue?" Had to end the Vogue magazine subscription I've had for years because the latest magazine used AI models ??? In Vogue? AI models in Vogue? "The downfall of Vogue. Their covers are trash. no creativity. and now using AI," another user said. the downfall of vogue. their covers are trash. no creativity. and now using AI. "Photo made by AI in Vogue magazine... In what world am I living in?" a third user mentioned. Photo made by ai in the vogue magazine.... In what world am I living in One individual shared a cautionary tale, writing, "True story: my Gen Z daughter is all about analogue. She subscribes to @voguemagazine and gets the physical copy in the mail. A new issue shows up. She's flipping through, stops, and says, 'Some of these models are AI.' I say maybe it's bad Photoshop. She's like, 'Nope. It's definitely AI. I'm cancelling.' Now to be fair, they're ads for a national brand, not Vogue editorial, but she doesn't care. Advertisers think Gen Z is hooked on AI and won't care. But some of them do. AI isn't always a flex. Sometimes it's the reason they bounce." Cautionary story: my Gen Z daughter is all about analog. She subscribes to @voguemagazine and gets the physical copy in the issue shows up. She's flipping through, stops, and says, 'Some of these models are AI.' I say maybe it's bad Photoshop. She's like,… Big names are already using AI models Vogue isn't the first fashion powerhouse to embrace AI-generated models. Several major brands have already tested this trend in their campaigns. In 2024, Mango used ultra-polished AI "glam models" to promote their collections, while H&M took things further by creating AI twins of 30 real-life models to experiment with virtual marketing. Levi Strauss also partnered with Dutch startup to build more inclusive virtual models that reflect a range of body types and ethnicities. Meanwhile, luxury giant Louis Vuitton has also dipped into the AI waters for promotional materials, signalling that even heritage labels are testing futuristic tools. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.


News18
13 hours ago
- News18
Sez On The Beat, Shai, Agsy & Tabla Guy Unite For Gen Z Anthem In New Music Collab; Details Inside
Sez on the Beat joins forces with Shai, Agsy, and Tabla Guy in a genre-defying music campaign that celebrates Gen Z's spirit of collaboration and creative identity. Smirnoff Lemon Pop Non-Alcoholic has launched its boldest and most sonically daring campaign yet—'We Do We"—a celebration of Gen Z's collaborative, expressive spirit. In an era where individuality thrives on community, this campaign takes that energy and transforms it into a sound that is as unique as it is unifying. The result is a multi-artist music experiment that merges creativity, culture, and identity into one unforgettable anthem. The campaign's heartbeat is a track crafted by celebrated producer Sez on the Beat (Sajeel Kapoor), who built the rhythm using the very cans of Smirnoff Lemon Pop. That foundational beat then becomes a canvas for three standout artists to layer their own identities and styles onto. Singer Shai blends Hindi and English, drawing from both her UK and Indian roots to create a melodic bridge between cultures. Rapper Agsy, known for her fierce lyricism in Hindi, Punjabi, and Haryanvi, brings a fearless Gen Z voice to the mix. Nikhil, known as Tabla Guy and the mind behind the viral 'Tabla Reimagined" series, adds his signature fusion of Indian percussion and global electronica, bringing traditional rhythm into the modern soundscape. This collaborative musical journey unfolds in a five-part Instagram reel series on the official Smirnoff Lemon Pop page. Each artist offers their interpretation of Sez on the Beat's original rhythm, and the series culminates in a final anthem that combines all their distinct sounds into a singular, powerful statement. It's not just a campaign—it's a living, breathing soundtrack of a generation that sees collaboration as an extension of self-expression. Ruchira Jaitly, CMO of Diageo India, said, 'We Do We is not just a campaign, it's a cultural conversation. Through music—one of the most authentic forms of expression for Gen Z—we're amplifying Smirnoff Lemon Pop's playful and inclusive spirit. This campaign captures how today's generation sees individuality and collaboration not as opposing forces, but as partners in creativity. It's proof that when diverse voices come together, the energy is electric." view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 20:01 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.