Ray Of Light

Model And Mental-Health Advocate Adwoa Aboah Has Found Strength In Owning Her Struggles. Today She’S Showing Others The Way.

- Dianna Mazzone

Adwoa Aboah has walked in runway shows for Burberry and Versace, has appeared on the covers of Vogue Italia and Time, and currently fronts beauty campaigns for Giorgio Armani Fragrances and Revlon. But for years, behind the high-glam parties and photo shoots, Aboah had been battling depression and addiction, which brought her to a life-threatening low in 2015. Since then she’s opened up about her trials and subsequent efforts to live with compassion and optimism: “I started being kinder to myself,” she says. “I look after myself and make time for things that fill my heart and soul.” She’s also encouraging other women to do the same as the founder of Gurls Talk, a nonprofit designed to empower through open communication. Here, Aboah gets real about loving yourself and finding a new kind of confidence.

You’ve been so candid about your struggles. Does putting it all out there feel freeing?