Franchesca Ramsey
Beautiful People 2012
By Elizabeth Thompson
Photographed by Douglas Adesko
Styled by Luigi Tadini
One of the year's more memorable Internet memes was born last December with the viral video "Shit Girls Say." Though spin-offs abounded, one of the most popular was Franchesca Ramsey's "Shit White Girls Say... to Black Girls." The video features Ramsey as a white woman making cringe-worthy remarks to an off-camera black friend. Highlights include: "Do you know a Tyrone Jenkins? He just requested me [on Facebook], and, "He's cute
for a black guy!" At one point, Ramsey reaches out to touch her friend's hair, remarking, "It kind of feels like Cheetos."
Ramsey, who was raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, says she based the video off her experiences growing up in the suburbs. "I was often the only black friend, or the only black person in the classroom or in the work place," she says. "A lot of the comments in the video have actually been said to me." Hearing these words from friends stung even more. "It can be more hurtful to hear them from people you have some sort of relationship with. You expect them to know better."
At press time, the video had about 8.5 million views and Ramsey says, after it premiered, her "life changed in a month." Video blogging since 2007, she was already part of YouTube's partnership program, which places ads on original content; meaning she's made enough money to quit her job as a graphic designer. She's also in negotiations to write for a TV show and is putting together a pilot. "I'm making entertainment my career," Ramsey says. "Which is what I always wanted."
Franchesca wears a dress by Kenzo, headband by Prada and bracelets by Alexis Bittar and Kenzo.
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Ramsey, who was raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, says she based the video off her experiences growing up in the suburbs. "I was often the only black friend, or the only black person in the classroom or in the work place," she says. "A lot of the comments in the video have actually been said to me." Hearing these words from friends stung even more. "It can be more hurtful to hear them from people you have some sort of relationship with. You expect them to know better."
At press time, the video had about 8.5 million views and Ramsey says, after it premiered, her "life changed in a month." Video blogging since 2007, she was already part of YouTube's partnership program, which places ads on original content; meaning she's made enough money to quit her job as a graphic designer. She's also in negotiations to write for a TV show and is putting together a pilot. "I'm making entertainment my career," Ramsey says. "Which is what I always wanted."
Franchesca wears a dress by Kenzo, headband by Prada and bracelets by Alexis Bittar and Kenzo.
MEET THE REST OF OUR 2012 BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
Your Comment
Posted at 12:31 on Mar 27, 2012
Right on right on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted at 9:09 on Mar 28, 2012
You go Frannie making it big in this small world is great if you're having fun doing it. Love you and your style..
Posted at 9:52 on Mar 28, 2012
Your work is great and you are such a beautiful person inside, outside, through and through!
Posted at 11:25 on Mar 29, 2012
I have been looking up to you for years. It is so great to see you living your dreams. Gives me much hope and inspiration every time I see you accomplish something else.
Keep on getting all that you deserve girl.