Leyna Bloom on Her New Dior Parfums Campaign and Feeling Beautiful in Sweatpants

Actress, model, and trans activist Leyna Bloom stars in the new Dior Stands With Women short film portrait series, released Tuesday morning by the French fashion house. Alongside Bloom, a variety of actresses, models, writers, scientists, and other tastemakers (including Paloma Elsesser and Cara Delevingne) share how they have made an impact on the world.

But the initiative holds a special place on Bloom’s resumé, thanks to one major co-star. “Growing up, one of the women I really looked up to was Charlize Theron, and she birthed this moment with Dior,” the Port Authority star tells BAZAAR.com of the series, which coincides with Christian Dior Parfums' continued support of Theron’s Africa Outreach Program.

“It’s amazing to be a part of this fight with [Charlize] for a better today and tomorrow, because we’re not just tapping into fashion but we’re uplifting women to find their own sense of self-love and to keep their chins up in times through trials and tribulations," she says.

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In her Dior Stands with Women short film, Bloom talks about her journey to finding self-love and confidence, while offering words of wisdom to young women. “For me, being a woman, a woman of color, and a trans woman, walking into today’s society with my chin up is a form of activism,” Bloom explains in the short video. “We are the signs. We are the vibrations. The next generation needs to see that. They need to see women like us in a position where we can take control.”

Bloom has made history as an actress, model, and trans activist, from her 2019 film Port Authority to walking the runways at Paris Fashion Week. But she says her younger self—the version of herself before making her impact on the world—could have benefited from the advice she gives now.

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“I would tell young Leyna to stay focused and never give up,” Bloom adds. “Understand that there's going to be many different chapters, but if you have perseverance inside you and the right people around you, anything is possible. Believe in yourself and know that you're going to inspire and open doors for a lot of people.”

During her journey to finding self-love, Bloom has learned that she doesn’t need to be on a red carpet in a gown to radiate confidence and beauty. “I work in a business where people always want to see you all dolled up, but one of the most beautiful tips I've learned is that it’s okay to be in your most natural state,” she says. “It’s nice to be in sweatpants and two-day-old socks with dirty hair. Beauty comes from within.”

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But Bloom doesn’t just feel confident when rocking sweats. While self-quarantined this past spring, she spent time researching her heritage and tracing her lineage. “Figuring out my roots as both Filipino and African gave me a sense of confidence and self-love, especially knowing that a lot of people worked hard for me to be here,” she adds. “I feel very lucky because it’s a beautiful gift to know your heritage and it gave me the extra push I needed to be my destined self.”

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Also while self-quarantined, Bloom learned a thing or two about the power of routine. “I feel most powerful when I first wake up in the morning,” she explains. “Even if it's not sunny outside, I'm get this ray of light and love from the universe to start my day because it's a new beginning.”

The star has even taken up writing: “The first thing I do when I wake up after brushing my teeth and washing my face is write poetry and journal in the notes app on my phone,” Bloom says. “I feel positive in what I’ve already accomplished first thing in the morning and inspiration to start my day.”

This story first appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.