Emma Raducanu Empowers Girls in HSBC Ad
Emma Raducanu, the 20-year-old tennis sensation, is using her platform to empower girls and challenge traditional fairy tale narratives in a new HSBC advertisement. In the nine-minute-long ad, she reads from “Fairer Tales” by Emma Dodd, which reimagines classic fairy tales with a modern twist.
The revised fairy tales in “Fairer Tales” depict Cinderella as a successful businesswoman designing her own sports shoe, Rapunzel as a property mogul who rents out her tower, and Sleeping Beauty as someone who accumulates wealth through wise investments during her long sleep, all without the need for Prince Charming.
During the ad, Raducanu encourages girls by emphasizing that these characters have used their intelligence, imagination, and resourcefulness to achieve success independently. She praises them for not relying on a prince for their accomplishments.
The new version of Sleeping Beauty rejects the traditional “happily ever after” kiss from Prince Charming when she is awakened and tells him that she doesn’t need a prince to rescue her. Cinderella finds financial success through her own shoe business instead of relying on a glass slipper. Rapunzel actively escapes her tower and builds financial security by renting it out to others.
Raducanu’s message aligns with her own remarkable journey in the world of tennis. At just 18 years old, she won the US Open in 2021, defying expectations and becoming a global sensation. Despite facing injuries and setbacks, she is one of the highest-earning tennis players, thanks in part to sponsorships, including HSBC.
The ad reflects a broader trend of revising traditional fairy tales to promote independence and self-reliance among female characters. While this approach has received mixed reactions, it highlights the importance of empowering girls to pursue their dreams and aspirations without feeling dependent on external factors.
Emma Raducanu’s involvement in this campaign sends a powerful message to young girls, encouraging them to believe in their abilities and strive for success on their own terms. Her own accomplishments serve as a testament to what can be achieved through determination and hard work.