Kat Graham, renowned for her role in “The Vampire Diaries,” has taken on the mantle of a United Nations ambassador, dedicating her efforts to support refugees in São Paulo, Brazil. Her advocacy comes from her own experiences as a child. These lived experiences are largely the reasons for her firm beliefs on the importance of advocating for displaced persons.
Graham’s path as an advocate began long before her birth, raised largely by a single mother. This experience went on to profoundly color her outlook on life. Estranged from her father through her childhood, she knows what it’s like to overcome challenging environments. This immigrant experience is a key motivator for her advocacy work that seeks to educate the public about the adversity refugees are confronting.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine, Graham opened up about her thrilling double life as an actress and singer. At the same time, she reiterated her focus on humanitarian leadership. She is set to star in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, but her heart remains dedicated to helping those in need. Currently serving as one of the UN’s Goodwill Ambassadors, she uses her position to advocate for the displaced women and children. Their strength and spirit inspire her in ways words cannot express.
“The thing people need to know is that nobody wants to be a refugee,” Graham stated, emphasizing the involuntary nature of displacement. This isn’t just something that happens to other people, she believes—that’s the point we’re all vulnerable to in unstable political and economic environments. “It could happen to you. It could happen to me. It could happen to any of us,” she added.
Graham underscored the need to recognize the many reasons people are driven out of their homes—drought, flooding, conflict, and persecution. She added, these refugees are not just looking for handouts—they want to have control of their own lives again. “They really just want to get their life back on track and just want the tools to be able to do it,” she remarked.
Her work with refugees has greatly influenced her. She draws on the example of her late mother often, a woman who raised her children while successfully navigating rejection and challenges without a safety net. “In a lot of ways, I am who I am because I looked at my single mom… and how she was able to pull herself up by her own bootstraps,” Graham stated.
Through her advocacy, Graham aims to raise awareness and foster understanding about the refugee crisis, reminding the public that compassion and support are vital for those facing unimaginable hardships. Her unique perspective as an actress and humanitarian comes to a thrilling head in this story that will challenge you to ignite change and empathy within yourself.