Coco Gauff Chooses “Jesus Christ” as Her Women’s Day Role Model in a Bold Move

Coco Gauff stands out in a crowd, not just for her fierce skills on the tennis court but also for her unique perspective. At 20, she uses her social media platforms to advocate for various social and environmental causes, including climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s rights. Coco never shies away from speaking out for her black community either, which makes her a fan favorite with all her authenticity and humility. But what has she done now?

As the WTA prepares for the Sunshine Double, kicking off with the Indian Wells Open, players are engaging with fans on social media. They recently answered a fun question on Women’s Day: “This International Women’s Day, we asked our players for the women who inspire them and why.” The responses were heartwarming, with many top players choosing their mothers or family members.

While players like Aryna Sabalenka, Paula Badosa, Elena Rybakina, and Mirra Andreeva chose family members, Gauff gave a bold answer. She gave a “shoutout to Cynthia Erivo” as her pick for who inspires her this Women’s Day. For the unversed, Erivo is a well-known actress due to her versatile performances across stage and screen, earning her numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and a Daytime Emmy Award. She gained international recognition for her powerful portrayal of Celie in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple and her roles in films like Harriet and Wicked.

Gauff noted, “Just because she’s so talented. She’s getting her flowers, but I definitely think they’re long overdue, so I would like to give my flowers to her. I think she’s incredible, and she deserves all the attention and all the love that she gets.” This gesture of spreading love from one incredible woman to another comes at a challenging time for Erivo. She is currently under scrutiny for her upcoming role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Jesus Christ Superstar, where she plays Jesus Christ.

The role has sparked online backlash, with angry reactions ranging from bemused GIFs to accusations of blasphemy. Many are upset that a Black queer woman was cast as Jesus Christ. However, many have dismissed the backlash, pointing out that Erivo’s casting isn’t unusual for an adaptation of Jesus Christ and that critics are missing the point. Despite the controversy, Gauff’s support for Erivo is unwavering.

It’s not unlike Coco Gauff to show her support for figures in pop culture. Just last month, during Black History Month, she shared a snippet from the Good Good Good newspaper. The snippet read, “While we don’t need an awareness holiday to honor Black history, Black History Month serves as an important opportunity to reflect, reconcile with the past and commit to a more just future. It’s more crucial now than ever to celebrate, amplify Black voices and participate in the ongoing struggles for racial equality.” She also posted a picture of Beyoncé, captioning it “Happy BHM.”

Gauff consistently supports fellow Black women who have paved the way in tennis as well, like Althea Gibson and Serena, and Venus Williams. But who are Coco Gauff’s role models in life?

Coco expresses her gratitude to her mother and grandmother

On Saturday, the 2023 US Open champion battled through a tough match against Moyuka Uchijima at Indian Wells, securing a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) win despite committing 74 unforced errors, including 21 double faults. Gauff was relieved to snap her three-match losing streak, admitting, “It wasn’t my best tennis at all today. Just happy to get through. It’s been a rough couple of weeks, so I am just happy to get a win on the court.” But what really stole the show was her heartfelt appreciation for the special women in her life.

Gauff took a moment to express her love and gratitude for her family. When asked about the inspirational women in her life, she gave a shout-out to her mom, saying, “My mom, she’s been rocking with me. I don’t know where she went (looking at the crowd), but she’s been rocking with me the past few weeks.” Coco’s mom, Candi, has been a constant support system, even accompanying her to the 97th Academy Awards and always showing up for her during matches.

Additionally, Gauff also honored her grandmother, Yvonne Odom, a Stage 4 lung cancer survivor who integrated local schools during the civil rights era. Gauff noted, “She’s the reason why I’m so vocal on certain issues, and you know why I will always use tennis as my platform to fight for equality. So shout out to my mom and my grandma.”

Coco’s appreciation for her family is genuine and heartfelt. While she continues to inspire fans with her talent and advocacy, it’s clear that her roots remain a vital part of her journey.