The phrase “Because You’re Worth It” may just be the slogan for the beloved brand L’Oreal, but it’s become so much more than that. Being and feeling “worth it” is a sign of resilience against so many people who want you to feel less — and Aja Naomi King wants to make sure everyone feels that way.
The L’Oreal Dream Team page perfectly describes King as “An actress and graduate of Yale who advocates for helping kids build confidence and creativity through performance and writing, and raises awareness on anxiety and confidence issues.”
When you speak with her, it’s clear she’s full of so much passion, especially for the good in the world. Throughout our conversation, she spoke so highly, so excitedly, about inspiring others to help people — especially her son, Kian. The love and joy she felt to be a part of something that helps so many people was palpable, and nothing short of inspiring.
King sat with SheKnows to discuss all things about the L’Oreal Women of Worth campaign (a program that’s in search of ten non-profit leaders to be named Women of Worth honorees), the women who inspire her, and how she’s teaching her son about self-love.
The Emmy-nominated actress has been a L’Oreal spokeswoman for eight years now, and she revealed to us how “world-changing” the experience has been. “I have been utterly moved at how much goodness there is in the world, which really does feel incredible given the state of things sometimes,” she tells us. “Then you look at these women and the lives that they are changing, the impact that they’re having, and how much art goes into all of it.”
King is all about working to “help amplify” the initiative. “I’ve been able to be a part of the judging committee, which is like the most impossible task in the world, to look at what these women have accomplished and only participate in picking ten of them,” she says. While it’s a heavy task, King also says “it’s the best problem in the world because they’re all so worthy and, and amazing.”
Each of the chosen ten will receive $25,000 to support their charitable cause, mentorship from other leaders, and the ability to use the L’Oréal Paris network; it’s an opportunity to create even more opportunities for good people.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, how much access you have, or anything like it, none of that matters. All that matters is how you want to move your life forward and move the lives of others forward,” King says. “We are all worthy of feeling seen and receiving help, and we are worthy in terms of what we can provide to others. The gifts that we can give, it can be transformative. It has changed my perspective and allowed me to bear witness, [and] that is soul-changing.”
King sees inspiration in every corner, from nearly every person she comes across. During her iconic roles as Harriet Sloane in Lessons in Chemistry to Michaela Pratt in How to Get Away With Murder, she has worked with some stars who truly inspired her.
“From Brie Larson and Viola Davis, deeply caring individuals who are so tapped into what is happening in the world and want to make an effort to make an impact,” she said. “I feel so lucky to even be in these circles where I encounter such inspiring human beings.”
But her biggest point of inspiration is her son.
Back in the summer of 2021, the Grosse Pointe Garden Society star and her husband Dan King welcomed their rainbow baby, a son named Kian, who is truly the center of her world. When she speaks about her son, the love radiates off of the screen.
“I did not know my heart could expand this much,” she says.
King tells SheKnows that the greatest thing she can teach her son has everything to do with being kind to herself.
“I think the biggest lesson I can teach him in terms of self-worth is for him to bear witness to me taking care of myself,” she says. It’s a process she’s had to learn, having previously had the mindset that’s common among a lot of moms: taking care of others, especially your kids, comes first. “[But] I realized very quickly that I was depleting myself,” she says. “And if I deplete myself, then I won’t have anything left to give him. And, well, that doesn’t serve anyone.”
And as for teaching Kian how to love others? King says it’s all about this mindset: “I’m gonna love you, but not to depletion. I’m gonna love you to the fullness of my heart.”
These celebrities are focused on raising their kids to be good humans.
Leave a Comment