Self Esteem – has been awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Sheffield. Check out her inspiring speech below.The 36-year-old musician already acts as a proud ambassador for Sheffield and was announced as being set to receive the award yesterday (July 17).The news was announced by the University of Sheffield on Twitter, in an update that read: “We are delighted to announce that Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem, is being awarded an honorary degree today for her success in music and public championing of inclusivity and diversity”.Now, the musician has shared footage of the ceremony on her Instagram account and posted a video of her moving speech at the event.“When I was asked if I could accept this honorary doctorate, my first thought was ‘Well no, I don’t deserve it.
Everyone will think ‘Who is she anyway, she never went to uni’’,” she began “And when I was watching celebrity honorary doctorate speeches on YouTube I found myself getting very nervous about it because I’m not Beyoncé or Stanley Tucci or Michelle Obama… or James Blunt, so what will I say in a speech?”She continued, explaining how – despite her stage name – the concept of believing in herself “doesn’t come easily or naturally” to her, and it is this determination to persevere that unites her and the others in that room.A post shared by SELF ESTEEM (@selfesteemselfesteem)“You all committed to something, whether it came easily or naturally.
Whether it was a struggle. When it was boring, or maybe really really hard,” she said. “You committed when you weren’t sure you’d get through to the end.
You committed during a global pandemic. And you’re here, achieving, believing, committing and choosing what’s good for yourself.”“You’re now at the bottom.
Read more on nme.com