GHANAIAN international model and climate advocate Victoria Michaels is challenging celebrities to rethink their silence on pressing national issues.

To her, the power of a celebrity lies not only in glamour but in influence, and too many are missing the chance to make it count.

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, September 15, 2025, she observed that this lack of engagement leaves several pressing matters under-supported and often overlooked by the public, as well as authorities.

She explained, “Celebrities have unmatched visibility. Choosing silence in the face of injustice or environmental degradation can imply consent or at least indifference.”

Ms Michaels noted that many personalities remain quiet out of fear of losing endorsement deals, straining brand partnerships or facing political backlash.

“With corporate contracts tied to image and financial security, many celebs hesitate to touch on sensitive topics such as industrial pollution, environmental enforcement or simply do not know how to engage effectively. So, yes, more could be done, especially around ‘unpopular’ but urgent causes”, she added.

She stressed that advocacy does not always require direct confrontation or controversy. She believes celebrities can find creative and strategic ways to support important campaigns without jeopardising professional relationships.

“We have to be mindful of context. Sometimes contracts or political risks make direct advocacy impossible. That doesn’t absolve responsibility. Rather, it challenges us to find safe but effective ways to speak out. Silence should neither be the default nor a badge of neutrality without thought.

“So for me, when silence is cheaper but harmful, then yes, I see your point: inaction is a kind of action. As an EU Goodwill Ambassador, for example, there are topics I can’t speak to, but I find ways to support the effort behind the scenes. Advocacy doesn’t always mean confrontation—it can be creative, strategic and still impactful.

“From what I see, there are a few who are stepping up. Okyeame Kwame is a very good example. He is Ghana’s Climate Clock Ambassador, who has combined music with tree-planting drives and community campaigns.

“Another is Rocky Dawuni, whose environmental activism and role with the UN prove that it is possible to combine celebrity status with sustained climate advocacy.

“These two musicians show it’s possible. They remind us that celebrity and advocacy are not mutually exclusive,” she stated.

Ms Michaels, who recently won the Climate Change & Sustainability Award at the 40 Under 40 Achievers Awards, admitted that such recognition raises the stakes.

“Winning in a category like Climate Change & Sustainability does more than honour past achievements. It positions a person as a public symbol and a visible exemplar. In that sense, there is a heightened moral expectation.

“People will pay attention, the media will quote you, and younger people will see you as a role model. Obligation is tricky. Activism should still come from genuine conviction, not merely trying to ‘do what’s expected.’

“Platforms are power. So yes, there is a moral dimension to leveraging such tools! But it works best when the choice to act is authentic. Otherwise, it risks being hollow or performative,” she said.