What Now? with Trevor Noah The Real Malala: Jeans, Crushes, & Healing
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Oct 16, 2025 
Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and education activist, shares her journey of self-discovery beyond her iconic status. She discusses how humor helped her heal post-attack and the joy of making friends at Oxford. Malala opens up about cultural scrutiny, her experiences with therapy, and finding love with Asar, who accepts her for who she is. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of funding girls' education and critiques systemic oppression in Afghanistan, showcasing her evolution as an activist and a person.
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Losing And Rediscovering Childhood Joy
- Malala describes losing her childhood laughter and joy after the attack and global attention removed who she was before.
- She felt reborn physically but disconnected from the mischievous, cheeky girl she used to be in Pakistan.
Visibility Can Make You Invisible
- Malala realized public narratives can make someone simultaneously hyper-visible and invisible.
- She reclaimed parts of herself at university by intentionally making friends and trying new things.
Agency Of Girls Under Oppression
- Girls in conflict zones exercise agency by creating secret schools and home learning solutions.
- They often need support and listening rather than inspirationalizing outsiders.
