7 of the most shameless acts from 2017 and what to learn from them
Looking back on this year, I’ve noticed so many people taking a stance, confident with who they are. Whether or not I agree with their viewpoints or behaviors, there’s something to learn from them.
Here are 7 of the most shameless acts in 2017 — and the lessons learned from them.
(1) The naked yogi posing on Instagram
Twenty-one-year-old Kirsty Tavolacci started posting nude photos of herself on Instagram, frozen in yoga poses, in September. She told CharlotteFive: “I was prompted to post naked yoga photos because it was freeing, liberating, and truly a form of art that not many people had seen before. The purpose of the photos is to let everyone know that they are beautiful and to let everyone know that in their most natural state, confidence and self-love is everything.”
Lesson learned: You are meant to feel free in your body.
(2) Jennifer Roberts, Toussaint Romain and Hugh McColl doing “trolley karaoke” on the streetcar
This was definitely one of the more awkward spectacles to behold, with McColl stumbling through his heart disease statistics at the controls of the streetcar and Roberts bobbing to the beat next to Romain and Chubby from the Charlotte Checkers, among other random celebrities who appeared. Nonetheless, the dancing and the singing to “Stayin’ Alive” on the Gold Line streetcar happened in the name of heart disease awareness this May.
Lesson learned: Catching people’s attention in the name of awareness can require drastic measures. Keep dancing.
(3) Richard Siskey Jr. throwing a pre-auction house party
The son of the late Rick Siskey, the Charlotte businessman who took his own life after being accused of running a Ponzi scheme, posted a photo on Instagram showing a crowd of friends gathered around him at his family’s SouthPark home, poolside. The July post came prior to an estate auction at the mansion, and read: “We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on!’ #thelastwaltz#auctionparty #nailedit”. He did not get particularly positive feedback online, with people calling him greedy, tone deaf and a “punk.”
Lesson learned: During a time of tragedy and scandal, a less-conspicuous gathering may be an easier approach.
(4) Cam Newton apologizing in a purple sweater
As @TheTrolleyWalk pointed out on Twitter, Cam’s October apology for laughing at the idea of a female reporter talking about routes in a Carolina Panthers press conference was brightened by a “purple Apology Sweater and matching purple Apology Hat.”
Lesson learned: Stay true to your form of self-expression. Even when you’re apologizing.
(5) The American Airlines flight attendant singing an “in-flight beverage service holiday song”
This just happened in December. Kim Putman, who is based in Charlotte, decided to belt out her version of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” over the intercom in front of a plane full of passengers. She was applauded.
Lesson learned: You can’t fight your own spirit. Holiday spirit included.
(6) The 10,000 people carrying signs in the Women’s March on Charlotte
Those signs were crazy — in an awesome, creative way. Everywhere I turned during that two-mile march in Januray, the word “pussy” kept coming into my line of vision. “This pussy grabs back.” “This pussy has claws.” The best sign was held by a stuffed pussy cat strapped to a toddler’s car, reading, “I grab back.”
Lesson learned: When you’re dissatisfied, speak up. Especially if you’re creative.
(7) The girl in the airport breaking it down with random strangers
When she got stuck in the Charlotte airport overnight in September, traveler Mahshid Mazooji created and posted the video, “All Night Long at The Airport,” on YouTube, accumulating more than 1.9 million views in a week. She grooved with airport employees and other travelers. “The video really did help me pass the time,” she reported.
Lesson learned: You are responsible for combating your own boredom.
This story was originally published December 21, 2017 at 12:00 AM.