The young woman who made headlines last week when she became the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, has inked a deal with IMG Models. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the modeling agency will work with Amanda Gorman to secure editorial opportunities for the 22-year-old. They will also get her brand endorsements.
Gorman was widely praised after she recited her poem “The Hill We Climb” after President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn into office last Wednesday (Jan. 20). The young poet said that she looked up speeches from Dr. King and Abraham Lincoln while writing her poem, but drew the most inspiration from the riots that took place earlier this month at the U.S. Capitol.
Former President Obama said Gorman’s poem “more than met the moment” in a message on Twitter following the ceremony. “Young people like her are proof that ‘there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it; if only we’re brave enough to be it,’” he wrote.
Oprah Winfrey also took to social media to commend Gorman. “I have never been prouder to see another young woman rise! Brava Brava, @amandascgorman! Maya Angelou is cheering — and so am I,” the media mogul wrote on Instagram.
Following the inauguration, two of Gorman’s books, “The Hill We Climb” and “Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem,” jumped to the top of Amazon’s bestselling list. As of this week, the two books still hold the top spots. “I AM ON THE FLOOR MY BOOKS ARE #1 & #2 ON AMAZON AFTER 1 DAY! Thank you so much to everyone for supporting me and my words,” Gorman tweeted. “As Yeats put it: ‘For words alone are certain good: Sing, then.’”
The young poet has also received a job offer to become a poet in residence at Morgan State University. Congrats to Gorman on all of her success!