Editorial: Shonda Rhimes: More than meets the eye
Photo taken from creativecommons
There are an endless number of women that have inspired me throughout the years. So much so it was difficult to narrow it down to just one person. I had many different women in mind yet I’m writing about one that I wasn’t even truly aware of till a few months ago, that woman is Shonda Rhimes.
Born January 13, 1970 in Chicago, Ill., Shonda is a prolific television producer, writer, and mother of three children. Even if you don’t know who she is by name you probably know what shows she’s created: Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Grey’s Anatomy, and Bridgerton to name a few. Her television creations have such a worldwide fanbase some would even say she’s the woman who owns Thursday nights.
Growing up as someone who wanted to write television, I often disregarded Shonda’s creations as from a distance because I felt them to be too feminine focused. A lot of what I saw from shows like Grey’s Anatomy felt like melodrama that I was above. I knew of Shonda by name but knew nothing of her background. As I recently began an film internship for Free Spirit Media, I was assigned a book called “Year of Yes” written by Shonda Rhimes. In the process of reading said novel I’ve gained a better understanding of her as a person. In her formative years, she was the youngest in a family full of older siblings. Her parents always embraced her creativity and pushed her to be the best she possibly could. Shonda has always been extremely talented and driven but it’s not her accolades that impressed me, it was her vulnerability. Throughout the novel Shonda explores how despite the media empire she’s created for herself she still deals with stage fright like she’s a civilian. She has adoring fans all around the world yet an event like giving a commencement speech at her alma mater Dartmouth College gives her PTSD. The thought of messing up an interview on Jimmy Kimmel gives her dread. It’s a relatable feeling for anyone who fears public speaking and eye opening because from the outside Shonda is a confident, intelligent, and groundbreaking Black woman. Her inner nervousness does not negate any of that but made me reconsider my original opinion of her from years ago that was clearly wrong.
In the months since I’ve gained a newfound respect for Shonda as she’s created multiple hit projects (regardless if I’m a fan of them) for a major network in this country. She is an inspiration for many young black girls who hope to make their way into Hollywood as well as inspiration for anyone in general. She worked her way up in an industry that isn’t very favorable to women let alone women of color. She has propelled the careers of many actresses such as Viola Davis and Kerry Washington. She’s given a platform to many young writers who will form the Hollywood of years to come. Shonda Rhimes is one of the most influential women in showbusiness and deserves every bit of her success.