'Puppet to clown:' Internet can't handle Malala saddling up for acting debut

Activist's cameo in the British series seems to be about as welcome as a bull in a china shop

In a plot twist that no one saw coming, Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is donning a cowboy hat and riding a horse in her acting debut on the second season of the British series We Are Lady Parts. 

Naturally, the internet has exploded with opinions since the reveal of Malala's first look. Because why wouldn’t the sight of an international education advocate in an embellished cowboy get-up cause a social media frenzy?

Reddit users, ever the bastions of supportive discourse, weighed in quickly. One user mused, "A lot of people are going to be annoyed at this for some reason," while another noted, "Making weak idiots very, very angry is kind of her thing." 

Over on Instagram, reactions were similarly constructive. One bright spark observed, "She was always a comedian for us," while another lamented, “Once I used to advocate for her that she’s there for education rights. Oh my god, I regret that…” 

One even declared, “Before, her role was a puppet to a foreign country and now she’s become a circus clown.” Amidst the uproar, a solitary defender piped up, “Leave her alone! Let her live her life. She’s not living your life."

Malala, showing an apparent lack of concern for the naysayers, shared her enthusiasm with British Vogue about her unexpected career pivot. “I’ve always been behind the scenes – I never expected to be in a show myself. Now, I’m finally showing my hidden talent," she said, to which a user hilariously retorted, “Acting and hidden talent? Nah! You were doing it from the start." 

As for how Malala ended up in Nida Manzoor’s We Are Lady Parts, a series about an all-female Muslim punk band, she explained, "I went to the premiere of Polite Society, and I saw her speak there. That film is a masterpiece. It broke all the stereotypes.” Clearly, breaking stereotypes is just another day at the office for Malala – cowboy hats and all.

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