Amanda Gorman, the poet who captured hearts after her powerful inauguration performance, has left esteemed journalist Mark Thompson utterly speechless. Gorman, who became a household name overnight, captivated millions with her poignant poem, “The Hill We Climb.” In a recent virtual interview with Thompson, who has engaged with some of the most brilliant minds globally, he admitted that her talent left him transfixed.
Personal Mantra and Inspiration
During their conversation, Gorman shared her personal mantra that she recites before each performance. “Whenever I perform — and I definitely did it this time — I close my eyes and say, ‘I’m the daughter of Black writers,’” she explained. “We’re descended from freedom fighters who broke their chains and changed the world. They call me.”
“Wow, you’re just, you’re incredible,” Thompson responded. “I’m so captivated.”
Overcoming Speech Challenges
Gorman also opened up about overcoming her speech challenges, revealing her pride in being part of the “speech-difficulty club,” alongside notable figures like President Joe Biden and Maya Angelou. Although her struggle wasn’t a stutter, she had difficulties with certain letters, particularly “R.” She used Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Aaron Burr, Sir” from Hamilton as a tool to help her improve. “If I can train myself to do this song, then I can train myself to say this letter. That’s been a huge part of my own speech pathology,” she noted.
Success Following the Inauguration
On the day of the inauguration, both of Gorman’s books — “The Hill We Climb: Poems” and the children’s book “Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem” — soared to the top of Amazon’s best sellers, selling out rapidly. Expressing her gratitude, she told Thompson that she is “overjoyed” by the response to her performance, emphasizing that she will be “processing it for a while.”
Reflecting on the day’s events, she shared, “What a day. What a life. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” on her social media. Gorman revealed to The New York Times that she had been struggling to finish “The Hill We Climb” until the Capitol riots on January 6 inspired her to complete it in just one day, incorporating powerful lines that resonate deeply.
Further Reading
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In summary, Amanda Gorman’s meteoric rise to fame is a testament to her talent and resilience. Her performance at the inauguration has not only inspired many but also sparked important conversations about identity, speech challenges, and the power of words.