Thandiwe Newton reintroduces herself in British Vogue’s May 2021 issue

Thandiwe (formerly Thandie) Newton is the latest cover star for British Vogue, gracing its May issue in Fendi and Tiffany & Co. The accompanying profile finds the British actress discussing the return to using “w” in her first name, as well as reflecting on motherhood and discussing sexual harassment.

The interview is with Diana Evans, who first interviewed the star 20 years prior. Newton’s entertaining “In The Bag” episode also finds her fully glammed up in Louis Vuitton, displaying the contents of her massive Christian Louboutin tote—which include handmade face masks, the latest issue of The Economist, Feminax, and her favorite rose hand cream.

“The thing I’m most grateful for in our business right now is being in the company of others who truly see me,” said Newton in the interview with British Vogue. “And to not be complicit in the objectification of Black people as ‘others’, which is what happens when you’re the only one.”

Newton continued, “That’s my name. It’s always been my name. I’m taking back what’s mine.”

The Emmy-winning actress has become an outspoken advocate on numerous fronts. In the British Vogue article, it mentions her involvement in the African American Policy Forum and the #sayhername campaign founded by her friend Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term “intersectionality”. Newton is also a board member of Eve Ensler’s V-Day, which supports women survivors of sexual violence in Congo with the City of Joy project. She also helped establish One Billion Rising which campaigns to end violence against women. She was also awarded the OBE in 2018 for her contributions to charity and film. “We can make a difference,” she said.

Read her full interview here.

You can catch the issue on newsstands when it is released on April 9.