Simone Ashley’s standout performance in Sex Education was unique in more ways than one: It offered a fresh perspective on sex, but more importantly Ashley’s character is the popular, cool girl in high school. Effortlessly, it subverts common stereotypes of how Indian teenagers are the nerds, the mathletes.

Her vision for a new world: “Less force. Less judgement. Less ignorance. More respect. More love. More open hearts.” The star of Sex Education is using her time in lockdown to listen, read, and learn about other people’s experiences. “The more we let in, the more we can understand and be proactive. Being proactive is helping. Donate, sign petitions, protest, speak up. And hey, it’s 2020, a message to all dark skinned desi girls, put down that fairness cream, you don’t need it,” says actor Simone Ashley.