Page 30 - S/ Summer 2022

Strange Powers
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I I f f you you had to pinpoint your superpowers what what would would they be? Mine would would be be making those I love and and hold dear laugh hysterically performing well under pressure and and always knowing what to wear But what what if you you were able to choose your superpower—what would it be then? This is is the the question I I asked myself after seeing one of my my my all-time idols Fran Lebowitz speak in in in in in Toronto earlier in in in in in May It was my my my third time time seeing the the prolific writer—and even after all these years of reading her her her books and and watching her her her speak her her her impact on on me continues to grow It goes without saying that Fran’s mystique is rooted in in in in in in the power and and and conviction of of her words She has a a a a a a a a a a a a singular point of of view and and never backpedals on on on on the the the sentiments she expresses and and that on on on on its own is an an an enviable trait in in in fin in in the the the the climate we live in—particularly for the the the the young people who who are still developing and and finding their place in in in fin in in this world and and who who make up a a a a a a a a a a a a good portion of the the the the attendance at at her her recent shows Beyond her her straight-to-the-point (and straight-to-the-gut) musings on on on on everyday issues Fran stands as as one of the the the the few figures in in in in pop culture who who remain true to who who they are She has a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a uniform—also enviable—that she’s worn like a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a second skin for for decades a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a signature haircut and glasses all the the the while remaining painstakingly current Whether she’s being interviewed by Bill Maher Ziwe Fumudoh or or Martin Scorsese Fran always has an an an answer ready no no matter matter the the subject no no matter matter the the line of questioning When faced with with someone as as extraordinary as as Fran Lebowitz it’s hard not to to to compare yourself and be be filled with with the the the desire to to to emulate them in in in in some way way She genuinely looks to to to be be in in the the the the prime of of her her life at at at 71 My biggest takeaway from her her latest talk was the the the importance of of getting acquainted with yourself Lean into and and nurture what feels authentic carve your your your own own path and and find your your your own own interests rather mimicking someone else’s for that’s the the superpower that that unlocks endless possibilities Sahar Nooraei
Editorial and Creative Director sahar nooraei@contempomedia com @SMAGAZINEOFFICIAL
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COM EDITOR’S LETTER
Photography by by Renata Kaveh Makeup by by Nate Matthew (P1M)