Amanda Gorman opens up about major life changes after inauguration performance

"The climb's gotta start somewhere, and wow, has mine been so blessed."

July 27, 2021, 3:28 PM

Amanda Gorman has been having a great year.

Since completely wowing the world with her poetics during the 2021 presidential inauguration, she has continued to soar toward global stardom.

One of her recent wins includes being featured on the cover of Porter Magazine's latest issue. In a wide-ranging interview with the publication, she opened up about everything from how dramatically her life changed after reciting her poem "The Hill We Climb" to co-chairing this year's upcoming Met Gala alongside singer Billie Eilish, actor Timothée Chalamet and tennis phenom Naomi Osaka.

PHOTO: Amanda Gorman wears top and straight-leg pants by LaPointe and earrings by Mateo in a feature for Porter Magazine.
Amanda Gorman wears top and straight-leg pants by LaPointe and earrings by Mateo in a feature for Porter Magazine.
Kennedi Carter for Porter, NET‑A‑PORTER.com

"Thrilled to be the @portermagazine cover star," Gorman said in an Instagram post unveiling the cover.

The 23-year-old also commented on how "meaningful" it is to be featured on the magazine's cover, saying that it wasn't long ago that she was listed as the publication's "Incredible Girl."

"[Porter] was one of the first major magazines to list my name on the cover when not nearly as many people knew who I was," she said in the Instagram caption. "I remember holding (more like clutching) the issue while catching a flight at Heathrow [Airport]. The climb's gotta start somewhere, and wow has mine been so blessed."

Within Porter's latest issue, Gorman admitted that she's still surprised by all her newfound fame after being forwarned by Oprah Winfrey that the moment would change her life.

"I had a bet with one of my friends about how many new followers I might get," said Gorman. "I was like, '100,000, max'. I looked afterward and it was millions."

PHOTO: Amanda Gorman wears cropped bra top and a-line midi skirt by Emilia Wickstead, shoes by The Attico, earrings by Mateo and gold cuff by Khiry Fine in a feature for Porter Magazine.
Amanda Gorman wears cropped bra top and a-line midi skirt by Emilia Wickstead, shoes by The Attico, earrings by Mateo and gold cuff by Khiry Fine in a feature for Porter Magazine.
Kennedi Carter for Porter, NET-A-PORTER.com

Gorman also became an instant style star after the performance due to her vibrant yellow Prada coat and bright red headband.

Shortly after her captivating performance, IMG models announced that it had signed the poet. The prestigious agency also represents supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber, among others.

She also starred on the cover of Vogue's May 2021 issue.

PHOTO: Amanda Gorman wears shirt dress by Thebe Magugu, shoes by Cult Gaia, necklace (worn as bracelet) and earrings by Mateo in a feature for Porter Magazine.
Amanda Gorman wears shirt dress by Thebe Magugu, shoes by Cult Gaia, necklace (worn as bracelet) and earrings by Mateo in a feature for Porter Magazine.
Kennedi Carter for Porter, NET-A-PORTER.com

All of Gorman's amazingly stylish moments and heightened notoriety have also culminated in likely one of her most paramount fashion gigs: co-chairing the 2021 Met Gala.

Gorman said that receiving her invite for the extraordinary fashion affair made her feel like "Cinderella going to the ball."

"Anna Wintour took the time to ask me over Zoom; I was not expecting that at all," she said.

In addition to her latest cover, Gorman is also releasing a new poetry collection in December, titled "Call Us What We Carry," which will include poems that explore hope, grief and healing.