Every Young Girl on the SouthCoast Needs to Hear This

Last week, local news anchor Lindsay Iadeluca received a belligerent voicemail from a very upset woman. This woman said incredibly hurtful comments, like “you look horrendous” and to “just get off the air."

The terrible voicemail was a blatant attack on Lindsay’s appearance, but instead of letting these hurtful words have power over her, she decided to share the audio and make it a powerful message about self-love and self-confidence.

Maddie got a chance to chat with Lindsay earlier this week, and after talking together, these two women came to the conclusion that the young girls of the SouthCoast need to hear Lindsay’s powerful message. She joined the Michael and Maddie show this morning to discuss the importance of loving yourself and the power that words can hold.

Lindsay showed incredible strength this morning as she discussed the hurtful voicemail that she received from an unknown woman who spewed insult after insult pertaining to Lindsay’s appearance. Michael asked Lindsay about her initial reaction upon hearing this voicemail.

“I honestly didn’t think it was real at first,” she said. “This is the worst thing I’ve ever heard.”

Hearing these hurtful words would crush anyone, but it’s Lindsay’s mental strength that has kept her positive moving forward.

“I’ve learned that it’s not a reflection of me, it’s a reflection of them, and it’s really important to love yourself," she said. "If you don’t love yourself, you can’t expect other people to validate who you are. And we’re all different, we’re beautiful in our own way. If we all looked the same, life would be pretty boring, right?”

Lindsay made it clear that her intentions were not to “bash” this woman, but rather humanize broadcasters and show that they, too, have feelings, while simultaneously pushing the message that we are all different, and that’s a beautiful thing.

“I hope that if I can help somebody out there with body issues to know that they’re beautiful," she said. "I’m going to come to work tomorrow and put on a dress that I feel beautiful in and I really want to set that example for girls because I don’t think there is enough of that out there.

It’s important for young girls to have role models of all sizes, colors, and backgrounds to look up to and to know that they are capable of anything that they choose to do. Let’s teach our children to empower others, and in turn, embrace their true, beautiful potential.