I MAY DESTROY YOU Star Michaela Coel Is British VOGUE’s September Cover Star

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I MAY DESTROY YOU and CHEWING GUM Star Michaela Coel Covers the September Issue of British Vogue Magazine Photographed by Harley Wei.

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On getting her maker gene from the mom: “Everything I know is from my mum,” she had told me over dinner. “My work ethic is from my mum.” I ask her what she thinks Kuukua wants for her. “I think my mum wants me to be in love, which I am. And I think she wants me to rest in a way that she’s never been able to her whole life.”

On meeting her partner Spencer Hewett on the dating app Raya: “Social dating apps hate Black women. I think that, historically, media hates Black women. And that’s not just here, you know? I think there’s a recognition bias and if you’re used to seeing white faces more, you favour them, and we know this. And across the globe, we are more accustomed to seeing white faces.”

On wanting a family: She immediately says no and asks me the question back, to which I share my theory that being a creative woman is an inherently selfish act. “It’s not selfish,” she retorts. “They never call men selfish for being writers.” The world wants women to stop and tend to everybody else’s needs, I insist. “The world needs to correct themselves,” she replies. Michaela has undergone the process of freezing her eggs, both in London and New York. “That’s the only way I’m going to do it. I would love to have a family. I’m also not going to go crazy if I don’t, because I believe the world is such a mystery, bro. If I don’t have a family, it’s not the end of the world. I’m still going to be here breathing.” At 37, she’s mindful of the age gap between her and Spencer. “I certainly was not thinking about kids at 33. And I love that because I’m enjoying my life a lot. I’m chilling. I got a while. I’ve got a couple jobs.”

Photographer: Harley Wei
Fashion Editor/Stylist: Nell Kalonji
Hair Stylist: Cyndia Harvey
Makeup Artist: Ana Takahashi
Manicurist: Angel My Linh

[Photo Credit: Harley Wei/British Vogue]

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