The deaf performer in charge of interpreting Rihanna's Super Bowl performance into sign language has broken her silence after finding viral fame, using her large platform to promote greater inclusivity.
Philadelphia-based Justina Miles caused a ruckus on the internet after her upbeat sign language interpretation of Rihanna's medley of hits this weekend, with some even claiming that she "out-performed" the headline act with her energetic moves.
Prior to her standout appearance for Rihanna during the Super Bowl Halftime Show, the 20-year-old was also tasked with interpreting Sheryl Lee Ralph's rendition of the Black National Anthem - 'Lift Every Voice' by Michael Cooper.
Now, she's using her platform to advocate for greater inclusivity and accessibility, having thanked the NFL for taking "big baby steps towards true inclusivity."
Addressing her 189,000 Instagram followers, Miles posted a series of selfies, captioning the upload with a lengthy message about how proud she was to represent Black, deaf people, but also about how much work still needs to be done to be more inclusive.
"I'm so glad y'all enjoyed the halftime show [...] !! NOW people are starting to know more about deaf people and that we can indeed enjoy music (and play sports and dance and eat and s**t but let's not blow their minds [...] ). This is the buzz i wanted to create. i wanted to pop so hard that y'all can be like 'okay Deaf people [literally] we need to come together, we need this everywhere!' because we do!!", the caption began.
She added: "We're still trying to make concerts, festivals, and comedy shows accessible. After one of the biggest shows in the world provided that accessibility and took off, everyone should do the same. everything should be available to everyone- equity. some said, 'omg how did i miss this performance?!' just imagine a deaf person missing it- so many deaf people missing it every year on TV.
"I really had the community's support, so many deaf people tuned in and that's why this was successful. just imagine what barriers we can break with true inclusivity and accessibility, where they don't have to do extra work accommodating themselves and simply just join in with the rest of the world. we just want to smile, laugh, dance, cook, etc.. WITH YALL. and likewise, y'all should want that WITH US," it concluded.
Earlier the same day, Miles praised the NFL and the National Association of the Deaf for ensuring that both Black and disabled voices were heard ahead of the Super Bowl in a separate post.
"Thank you [NFL] [National Association of the Deaf] for allowing me to be part of American history, Black history, and Deaf history. I had the honor of performing the Black National Anthem with [Sheryl Lee Ralph], and lift every voice of the unrecognized, the overlooked, and the culture," Miles wrote.
"Not only is it an overwhelming inspiration to be the first woman to perform at the pregame and halftime show, but to be Black and Deaf as well. That shows real inclusivity and big baby steps towards true accessibility.
"I'm so glad the world- deaf and hearing- enjoyed one of the biggest moments of the year together! This experience was indescribable and I'm at a loss of words for each and every one of your love and support," she added.
