BigMama: "Telling your story without fear is what is needed"

BigMama, known as Marianna Mammone, is a long-time acquaintance of ours. We caught up with her in Rome, at a hotel, just before Pride, where she'll be participating as the face of Sephora's new campaign for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, titled We Belong Here, which promotes the creation of Safe Places for the community. This initiative is coupled with the launch of a free online listening service in collaboration with Arcigay. In the video, we see her with a group of young people taking over a school, turning it into a welcoming Safe Place against messages of prejudice and hate. It's not so different from what happened at the Roman parade, in fact.

First, we asked her what it meant to her to put her queer artist story at the service of the campaign and its message: "this Sephora campaign aims to speak directly to all the people who live and have lived through similar situations. Knowing that I can be a reference point and help someone makes me truly happy. That's why I like to be at the forefront of such important projects," she told us. The video, she explains, also tells part of her story, from the bullying she endured at school to now, an established artist on the Italian scene with a participation in Sanremo under her belt. "It was heartbreaking, because I dressed just like I did when I was little. I was in a school, with the look of that time, with glasses, hair covering my face, oversized clothes, and it was like reliving those moments. The worst part was remembering that at the time I didn't notice all the beauty that was there".

Speaking of looks (for the occasion, the artist flaunted colorful eye makeup, graphic eyeliner, indispensable rhinestones, and lots and lots of highlighter, the product she can't do without), it's impossible not to note the connection between makeup and self-expression that increasingly makes the beauty industry inclusive, a means for everyone (girls, boys, and those who don't identify with this binary) to send messages and communicate their personality and worldview. Even though there's still a long way to go. "Makeup helped me a lot in expressing myself in moments when it was the only means of expression I could have," confirms BigMama. "My voice still wasn't heard enough, and putting myself in my room and doing makeup as I wanted - without being afraid of prejudices and starting to go out with those makeups that people initially thought were exaggerated - helped me," she added.

Therefore, participating in Pride with Sephora has a world of meaning: "Representation and presence are by no means a given. Fighting for rights and asserting oneself is extremely important. I'm very happy to be here and I'm also happy - given that I've been going to all the Prides in Italy for many years - to see more and more liberated people expressing themselves as they want and doing makeup and dressing as they want. We'll keep doing that." And it's not just about being there, but also about doing something concrete: "When I was little, one of the things I suffered most from was loneliness. I felt deep shame in talking about my sexuality and my life condition with my parents and generally with older people who could have helped me. That's why I think having psychological support and education for kids, who may not even have the economic means to afford help, is really essential, and it's great that two entities with strong roots like Sephora and Arcigay are helping people."

We saw these people light up before our eyes at the sight of BigMama, dancing under the soap bubbles, waving to her, sending hearts, thanking her for everything she does. "The relationship with my fans is very beautiful because I'm a real person and I talk about my life without filters, without fear, and that's what's needed, not only for this generation but for everyone," says BigMama, who has turned her overwhelming personality and frankness into a strength. "There's a special bond with my audience that unites us; they listen to me and understand me, they share what I say, and vice versa. When we meet, I love listening to their stories because they enrich me, and they finally feel listened to by someone."

Her advice for the younger ones, for the different, for anyone who feels lonely? "Time helps and heals wounds. It's very important to respect yourself in every possible way and to know how to wait. Unfortunately, people gossip and will continue to speak badly forever, but you have to know that those words are frivolous, they're the armor of those who deep down are very weak and need to devalue us to feel more relevant. So, I advise investing in oneself, in one's dreams, taking care of oneself, and trying to listen to others as little as possible, and, if possible, seeking help and support in the community, which is somewhat the message we want to convey with the We Belong Here campaign."