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what happened to amanda gorman

Amanda Gorman is safe and active in her career; nothing “happened” to her in the sense of a disappearance or major scandal. She has continued writing, performing, and expanding her work as a poet and activist into 2025–2026.

What happened to Amanda Gorman?

From inauguration star to global figure

Amanda Gorman became widely known after performing her poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, which instantly made her an international literary and cultural figure. Since then, she has built a career that blends poetry, activism, public speaking, brand partnerships, and children’s literature.

Key points in her trajectory:

  • Rose to global fame in 2021 after the inaugural poem.
  • Published poetry collections and children’s books that became bestsellers.
  • Took on public-facing roles with major organizations and brands while maintaining a focus on social justice and youth.

In short: she didn’t “vanish” — she shifted from a single viral moment to a sustained, multifaceted career.

Recent activities and “latest news”

In the last couple of years, “what happened to Amanda Gorman” often refers to her newer, more issue‑focused projects rather than a personal crisis.

1. UNICEF ambassador and children’s advocacy

  • In late 2025, UNICEF announced Amanda Gorman as its newest UNICEF Ambassador , formalizing a relationship that began in 2021.
  • She is using that role to advocate for children’s rights, especially for kids in crisis and emergency settings, and to raise funds and awareness.
  • At the 2025 UNICEF Gala, she was scheduled to perform an original poem focused on building a better world for children.

This marks a shift from “viral poet” to long‑term global children’s advocate.

2. New books and literary work

  • Gorman released a children’s picture book called Girls on the Rise in early 2025, focused on solidarity, community, and support among young girls.
  • She has continued to publish poetry and essays that address themes like Black identity, feminism, marginalization, and climate change.

She has also spoken about wanting her books to help young readers feel less alone and more protected in difficult times.

3. Poems responding to current events (2026)

  • In early 2026, Gorman wrote and read a poem titled “For Renee Nicole Good” in response to the killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer.
  • She used the poem to honor the victim and to speak against state and immigration violence, part of a broader wave of poetry being used in mourning and protest.

This is part of a pattern: she often writes directly to or about victims of injustice, using poetry as a tool for public grief and resistance.

Why people ask “what happened to her?”

Several things have fed the sense that Amanda Gorman went quiet or that “something happened”:

  • Less constant spotlight: After the inauguration moment, media attention naturally shifted, so casual observers see less of her even while she continues to work steadily.
  • Focus on book bans and politics: She has increasingly focused on issues like book bans, literacy, and democratic participation, which show up more in news interviews and events than in viral clips.
  • Controversies around her work:
    • Her inaugural poem The Hill We Climb was restricted at a school in Florida after a complaint, which she described as a “gut punch” and a violation of children’s right to free thought and speech.
* She has spoken publicly about the emotional impact of seeing her work banned, and about the broader surge in book restrictions targeting diverse voices.

So the question “what happened to Amanda Gorman?” is often really about:

  • How she’s navigating book bans.
  • How she’s evolving into a more overtly political and advocacy‑driven public figure.
  • Why she seems less omnipresent in mainstream celebrity coverage, even as she works more deeply in activism.

Ongoing goals and public image

Amanda Gorman has repeatedly said she hopes to run for U.S. president in 2036 , a goal she first mentioned years before the inauguration and has continued to reference. That long‑term political ambition fits with how she is shaping her public life:

  • Building a reputation as a serious poet and thinker on democracy, justice, and children’s rights.
  • Partnering with institutions (UNICEF, major media platforms) that amplify her advocacy rather than just her celebrity.
  • Staying selective about commercial offers, reportedly turning down many endorsement deals that did not align with her values.

In interviews, she has framed fear and vulnerability as part of courage, emphasizing that you don’t need to be completely fearless to act bravely — especially in political and social struggles.

Quick FAQ: “what happened to Amanda Gorman”

  • Is Amanda Gorman okay?
    Yes. She remains active as a poet, author, and advocate, including work with UNICEF and public performances.
  • Why was her poem in the news for being banned?
    A Florida school restricted access to The Hill We Climb after a complaint; she condemned this as harmful to children’s freedom to read and think.
  • What is she doing now (2025–2026)?
    Publishing books (like Girls on the Rise), serving as a UNICEF Ambassador, speaking out against book bans, and creating poems in response to state violence and global crises.
  • Did she leave poetry for politics?
    No. She continues to write and perform while keeping open her stated aspiration to run for president in 2036.

TL;DR: Amanda Gorman didn’t disappear; she shifted from a viral inauguration moment into a sustained career as a poet, children’s author, and UNICEF ambassador, increasingly focused on book bans, children’s rights, and protest poetry in response to violence and injustice.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.