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Culture > Entertainment

Instagram Posts by Female Celebs That Had Us Feeling Empowered AF in 2017

2017 has been the year of women being bold, badass and beautiful. To celebrate, we’ve rounded up impactful Instagram posts from our favorite female celebs who have inspired us in so many ways. Ready to be shook by the empowerment? 

January: RiRi Celebrates Women

Rihanna started the year off with an empowering and inspiring post at the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. Her caption, “So proud to be a woman” has been our motto all year long.

February: Beyonce’s Pregnancy Announcement

Beyonce broke the internet with her extravagant floral pregnancy announcement while carrying twins Rumi and Sir. Her photo was the perfect portrayal of the beauty of pregnancy and motherhood. (She also re-broke the internet with this post-birth photo featuring the newborn twins.)

March: Zendaya on International Women’s Day

Outspoken activist and actress Zendaya shared this photo on International Women’s Day, reminding us to always be “Feminist AF.”

 

Self explanatory… #internationalwomensday

A post shared by Zendaya (@zendaya) on

April: Ariel Winter’s Body Positivity

Ariel Winter shares a photo in a butt-bearing outfit, which was followed by another post weeks later shutting down online body shamers and cyberbullies.

 

 

A post shared by ARIEL WINTER (@arielwinter) on

May: Ariana Grande’s Words for Manchester

Ariana Grande shared an emotional and empathic post for her fans after the tragic bombing at her concert in Manchester, London. Ariana paused her Dangerous Woman tour and held the One Love Manchester Benefit Concert to raise proceeds for the victims.

 

A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on

June: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman

Gal Gadot shared this fierce post from The Hollywood Reporter after the release of Wonder Woman. The actress reminds us of how fearless she is in her role in the female-directed film (which Gal filmed while pregnant!).

 

thx @hollywoodreporter for this cool piece

A post shared by Gal Gadot (@gal_gadot) on

July: Ashley Graham on National Bikini Day

Plus-sized model and body positivity advocate Ashley Graham often speaks out for plus-sized women to celebrate their bodies and curves. The model celebrated National Bikini Day in July with a fearless and fun photo.

 

#nationalbikiniday

A post shared by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on

August: Serena Williams Pregnant Vogue Shoot

Serena William has always encouraged women to be strong and sexy through her athletic career. In August, she also showed the strength that she carried during her pregnancy.

September: Selena Gomez’s Kidney Transplant

Selena Gomez shared a heartfelt hospital photo with her friend Francia Raisa after their kidney transplant surgery. Selena later thanked Francia again in her Billboard Woman of the Year Speech.

 

I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on

September Honorable Mention: Fenty Beauty Teaser 

Rihanna dropped the promo video for the launch of Fenty Beauty, and the world of cosmetics has never been the same.

October: Demi Lovato’s #SimplyComplicated Documentary Trailer

Demi Lovato shared the trailer for her personal documentary, #SimplyComplicated, where she empowered many people by sharing her battle with drugs, depression and self-harm.

November: Ming Xi’s Inspiring Runway Fall 

Victoria Secret model Ming Xi shared an inspiring post after her unedited fall on the runway during the 2017 Victoria Secret Fashion Show. The “fallen Angel” charmed us with her humble and gracious caption.

 

As many of you may already know, I fell during my 5th year walking at the Victoria’s Secret show yesterday. It was no doubt one of the hardest moments I have ever had to go through in my career, especially since the show was taking place in my hometown, in front of my mother’s and my people’s eyes. However, the support I received from everyone yesterday was incredible and I am truly grateful to everyone who was there for me. @ed_razek Thank you for your supportive words and your continuous support throughout these 7 years. @giizeleoliveira Thank you for helping me up after the fall, it was a very selfless and loving act from you. Thank you to all the girls who rushed to comfort me at backstage after what had happened, you are all family to me. Lastly thank you to everyone who sent and left me supportive messages. I will pick myself up from where I fell, and I will keep going in order to repay all the support you all have given me!! #vsfashionshow @victoriassecret

A post shared by Ming Xi (@mingxi11) on

December: Gabrielle Unions Everything

Gabrielle Union has inspired us numerous times this year with the release of her new hair care products, publication of her book of empowering essays and her uplifting posts and donations to two female anchors who were body-shamed. Gabrielle is showing us that boss babe power isn’t ending with 2017.

 

Livin The Dream… #WereGonnaNeedMoreWine @dreamhotelsla

A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on

Lola George graduated from the University of North Texas in May 2019 with a degree in Public Relations. Her communications and marketing skills led her to move out-of-state and work as a full-time marketing specialist for Overnight Flowers in Tampa, FL. Lola enjoys creating content to share her passion for traveling, brunching, fashion design, and styling. Follow her on Instagram @beachybrunchbabe