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'Girl Meets World' star opens up about how being cat called at age 12 made her a feminist

"Of course it's happened to this girl, because it happens every day."

Tricia Gilbride

on March 31, 2016

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Girl Meets World star Rowan Blanchard opened up to Interview Magazine about the first time she was catcalled at just 12-years old -- the sexism she had observed became very real to her in that moment.

"And I just remember sitting there feeling my heart sink into my stomach. It was such a surreal moment," Blanchard told Interview. "Because I always see that happening in front of me; I always see girls getting catcalled. But up until that point, I hadn't experienced it. And it was like I was out-of-body for a second."

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She was inspired to do her part and became an active feminist voice on social media.

Her role on Girl Meets World gave Blanchard a new platform, and the responsibility of being a girl in the public eye experiencing the trials of being a young woman her fans can relate to is not lost on the 14-year-old actress.

"'Because it started consuming me. And, when girls would come up to me and be like, "I watch your show," I would think, "Has this ever happened to this girl? Of course it's happened to this girl, because it happens every day.'"

Huffington Post editor Alana Vagianos started the hashtag #TheFirstTimeIWasCatcalled so more women could share their stories.

The majority of the women who responded were between the ages of 9 and 14 the first time they remember being sexualized by grown men in both public and private spaces.

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Blanchard told Interview that the solidarity she's found with other girls has given her strength.

"No girl should feel scared to be friends with other females," she said.

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Topics Celebrities

Tricia Gilbride

Tricia Gilbride was a Reporter for Mashable Watercooler. Tricia focused on the intersection of celebrity culture and the Internet. Previously, she worked as a fashion writer and a social media manager. She also edits Women-Artists.org, a blog and annual print publication, and looks exactly like her cat.