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{{Short description|British social media influencer, disability activist and journalist}}
{{Short description|British social media influencer, disability activist and journalist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{notability|Biography|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Lucy Edwards
| name = Lucy Edwards
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}}
}}


'''Lucy Edwards''' is an English [[internet celebrity|influencer]], [[disability activist]], and [[journalist]].
'''Lucy Edwards-Cave''' is an English [[internet celebrity|influencer]], [[disability activist]], and journalist.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
{{Infobox YouTube personality
⚫
Edwards lost sight in her right eye at age 11 due to [[incontinentia pigmenti]], a genetic condition; she lost her remaining eyesight at age 17. She completed her [[A-level|A-Levels]] at college<ref name="Mirror">{{cite news |last1=Bletchly |first1=Rachel |title=I lost my sight at 17 and now want to help blind people find love |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/lost-sight-17-now-want-6161054 |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=29 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801010404/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/lost-sight-17-now-want-6161054 |archive-date=1 August 2015}}</ref>, and dropped out of [[law school]] due to her [[mental health]].<ref name="Autobio">{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Lucy |title=“It’s Given Me A Fire And A Purpose”: Lucy Edwards On Being “Blind, Not Broken” |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/lucy-edwards-essay |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[British Vogue]] |date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518023235/https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/lucy-edwards-essay |archive-date=18 May 2023}}</ref>
| name = Lucy Edwards
| channel_name = lucyedwards
| channel_url = https://www.youtube.com/lucyedwards
| subscribers = 798k
| subscriber_date = February 2024
| views = 506 million
| view_date = February 2024
| silver_button = yes
}}
⚫
Edwards lost sight in her right eye at age 11 due to [[incontinentia pigmenti]], a genetic condition; she lost her remaining eyesight at age 17. She completed her [[A-level]]s at college,<ref name="Mirror">{{cite news |last1=Bletchly |first1=Rachel |title=I lost my sight at 17 and now want to help blind people find love |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/lost-sight-17-now-want-6161054 |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=29 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801010404/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/lost-sight-17-now-want-6161054 |archive-date=1 August 2015}}</ref> and dropped out of law school due to her [[mental health]].<ref name="Autobio">{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Lucy |title="It's Given Me A Fire And A Purpose": Lucy Edwards On Being "Blind, Not Broken" |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/lucy-edwards-essay |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[British Vogue]] |date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518023235/https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/lucy-edwards-essay |archive-date=18 May 2023}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
Line 19: Line 28:
In 2021, she was named as a [[brand ambassador]] for [[Pantene]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Winter |first1=Lottie |title='Going blind has excluded me from the beauty industry in some ways, but it's also given me a clearer idea of what beauty really means' |url=https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/lucy-edwards-interview-2021 |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]] |date=5 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006101519/https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/lucy-edwards-interview-2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021}}</ref> In September 2022, she campaigned for accessibility in the entertainment industry, speaking out on the lack of [[audio description]] for television shows, films, and theatres, as well as inaccessible website design.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deibe |first1=Izzie |title=Blind Presenter Lucy Edwards Calls Out Entertainment Industry: "It's Time to Do Better" |url=https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/blind-activist-lucy-edwards-interview-entertainment-industry-48934885 |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[PopSugar]] |date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906105515/https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/blind-activist-lucy-edwards-interview-entertainment-industry-48934885 |archive-date=6 September 2022}}</ref>
In 2021, she was named as a [[brand ambassador]] for [[Pantene]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Winter |first1=Lottie |title='Going blind has excluded me from the beauty industry in some ways, but it's also given me a clearer idea of what beauty really means' |url=https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/lucy-edwards-interview-2021 |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]] |date=5 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006101519/https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/lucy-edwards-interview-2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021}}</ref> In September 2022, she campaigned for accessibility in the entertainment industry, speaking out on the lack of [[audio description]] for television shows, films, and theatres, as well as inaccessible website design.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deibe |first1=Izzie |title=Blind Presenter Lucy Edwards Calls Out Entertainment Industry: "It's Time to Do Better" |url=https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/blind-activist-lucy-edwards-interview-entertainment-industry-48934885 |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[PopSugar]] |date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906105515/https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/blind-activist-lucy-edwards-interview-entertainment-industry-48934885 |archive-date=6 September 2022}}</ref>


In May 2023, ahead of the [[2023 Eurovision Song Contest]], she launched a podcast for partially-sighted and blind Eurovision fans on [[BBC Sounds]] titled ''Eurovision Described'', which was co-hosted by Abi Clarke and provided audio descriptions of the proceedings.<ref name="Eurovision"/> Five months later, in October, she traveled to Japan to film content for BBC's [[The Travel Show (TV programme)|''The Travel Show'']].<ref>{{cite news |author1=The Travel Show |title=Japan's ancient art of taiko drumming |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231020-japans-ancient-art-of-taiko-drumming |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[BBC Online|BBC Travel]] |date=21 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122062848/https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231020-japans-ancient-art-of-taiko-drumming |archive-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> In December, she featured on a charity [[Cover version|cover]] of Wizzard's [[I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday|"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday"]], forming part of influencer [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] ''Creator Universe'' to raise money for [[food bank]] charity [[The Trussell Trust]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Annett |first1=Jackie |title=Who are Creator Universe as they vie for Xmas number one against Pogues and Wham |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/who-creator-universe-vie-xmas-31716750 |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/x2aST |archive-date=4 January 2023}}</ref>
In May 2023, ahead of the [[2023 Eurovision Song Contest]], she launched a podcast for partially-sighted and blind Eurovision fans on [[BBC Sounds]] titled ''Eurovision Described'', which was co-hosted by Abi Clarke and provided audio descriptions of the proceedings.<ref name="Eurovision"/> Five months later, in October, she traveled to Japan to film content for BBC's [[The Travel Show (TV programme)|''The Travel Show'']].<ref>{{cite news |author1=The Travel Show |title=Japan's ancient art of taiko drumming |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231020-japans-ancient-art-of-taiko-drumming |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[BBC Online|BBC Travel]] |date=21 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122062848/https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231020-japans-ancient-art-of-taiko-drumming |archive-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> In December, she featured on a charity cover of Wizzard's "[[I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday]]", forming part of influencer [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] ''Creator Universe'' to raise money for [[food bank]] charity [[The Trussell Trust]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Annett |first1=Jackie |title=Who are Creator Universe as they vie for Xmas number one against Pogues and Wham |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/who-creator-universe-vie-xmas-31716750 |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240104025859/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/who-creator-universe-vie-xmas-31716750 |archive-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>

In April 2024, Edwards released a memoir, ''Blind Not Broken''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crae |first=Ross |date=2024-04-19 |title=Presenter and author Lucy Edwards on new book Blind Not Broken |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/lucy-edwards/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=The Sunday Post |language=en-US}}</ref> In July, she signed a book deal with [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]] for ''Ella Jones vs The Sun Stealer'', a middle-grade novel centering a blind protagonist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fraser |first=Katie |date=2024-07-11 |title=Scholastic signs 'game-changing' middle-grade adventure from blind broadcaster Lucy Edwards |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/scholastic-signs-game-changing-middle-grade-adventure-from-blind-broadcaster-lucy-edwards |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=The Bookseller |language=En}}</ref> That same month, Edwards appeared in [[Mattel|Mattel's]] campaign surrounding their first blind [[Barbie]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mac Donnell |first=Chloe |date=2024-07-23 |title='A positive step forward': Mattel launches first blind Barbie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/23/a-positive-step-forward-mattel-launches-first-blind-barbie |access-date=2024-08-20 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In August, she modelled for Sinéad O’Dwyer's catwalk as part of [[Copenhagen Fashion Week]], accompanied by her guide dog. This made her both the first blind model to participate in the event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pitcher |first=Laura |date=2024-08-08 |title=Lucy Edwards, the blind model on a mission to 'overhaul' the beauty world |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/64316/1/lucy-edwards-blind-model-sinead-odwyer-beauty-world |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carty |first=Gabrielle |date=2024-08-08 |title=Glitter Magazine {{!}} Lucy Edwards Makes History at Copenhagen Fashion Week |url=https://glittermagazine.co/2024/08/08/lucy-edwards-makes-history-at-copenhagen-fashion-week/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=glittermagazine.co |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Social media presence ==
== Social media presence ==
Edwards began posting on [[YouTube]] in early 2014 under the name Yesterday's Wishes (stylised as YesterdaysWishes).<ref>{{cite web |title=YesterdaysWishes |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/yesterdayswishes |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301053326/youtube.com/user/yesterdayswishes |archive-date=1 March 2014}}</ref> Her content included vlogs about her experiences with blindness and accessible makeup and beauty tutorials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wallwork |first1=Ellen |title=Blind Beauty Vlogger YesterdaysWishes Demos How To Apply Make-Up Without A Mirror |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/05/14/blind-beauty-vlogger-yesterdayswishes_n_7281906.html |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[HuffPost|HuffPost UK]] |date=14 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516081247/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/05/14/blind-beauty-vlogger-yesterdayswishes_n_7281906.html |archive-date=16 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=March |first1=Bridget |title=The blind beauty blogger we can learn LOADS from |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/news/a35684/blind-beauty-blogger-yesterdays-wishes/ |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]] |date=13 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804144604/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/news/a35684/blind-beauty-blogger-yesterdays-wishes/ |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>
Edwards began posting on YouTube in early 2014 under the name Yesterday's Wishes (stylised as YesterdaysWishes).<ref>{{cite web |title=YesterdaysWishes |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/yesterdayswishes |website=YouTube |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301053326/youtube.com/user/yesterdayswishes |archive-date=1 March 2014}}</ref> Her content included vlogs about her experiences with blindness and accessible makeup and beauty tutorials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wallwork |first1=Ellen |title=Blind Beauty Vlogger YesterdaysWishes Demos How To Apply Make-Up Without A Mirror |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/05/14/blind-beauty-vlogger-yesterdayswishes_n_7281906.html |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[HuffPost|HuffPost UK]] |date=14 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516081247/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/05/14/blind-beauty-vlogger-yesterdayswishes_n_7281906.html |archive-date=16 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=March |first1=Bridget |title=The blind beauty blogger we can learn LOADS from |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/news/a35684/blind-beauty-blogger-yesterdays-wishes/ |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]] |date=13 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804144604/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/news/a35684/blind-beauty-blogger-yesterdays-wishes/ |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>


In 2019, Edwards appeared on [[Say Yes to the Dress: UK|Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire]]. She began posting on [[TikTok]] towards the start of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]], with many of her videos going viral. In 2020, she was featured in TikTok's ''Creator Spotlight'' campaign, and their ''2020 TikTok 100''.<ref>{{cite web |title=TikTok Creator Spotlight: Lucy Edwards |url=https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/tiktok-creator-spotlight-lucy-edwards |website=TikTok |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105121617/https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/tiktok-creator-spotlight-lucy-edwards |archive-date=5 November 2020 |date=5 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Waterworth |first1=Rich |title=Introducing The TikTok 100 - our 2020 Year in Review |url=https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/introducing-the-tiktok-100-our-2020-year-in-review |website=TikTok |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202092038/https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/introducing-the-tiktok-100-our-2020-year-in-review |archive-date=2 December 2020 |date=2 December 2020 |quote=(Image) Voices of Change: @lucyedwardsblind, 794K.}}</ref> In 2021, she joined TikTok's UK Creator Council.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=lucyedwards|number=1375387800724508672 |date=26 March 2021|title=I’m part of the first ever at @TikTok creator council!! I can’t wait to talk to the team and be a voice of change in the community👩‍🦯❤️Introducing the first UK Creator Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328074536/https://twitter.com/lucyedwards/status/1375387800724508672|archive-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> By January 2024, Edwards had 1.8 million followers.<ref>{{cite web |title=lucyedwards TikTok Stats Summary Profile|url=https://socialblade.com/tiktok/user/lucyedwards |website=[[Social Blade]] |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104134037/https://socialblade.com/tiktok/user/lucyedwards |archive-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>
In 2019, Edwards appeared on [[Say Yes to the Dress: UK|Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire]]. She began posting on [[TikTok]] towards the start of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]], with many of her videos going viral. In 2020, she was featured in TikTok's ''Creator Spotlight'' campaign, and their ''2020 TikTok 100''.<ref>{{cite web |title=TikTok Creator Spotlight: Lucy Edwards |url=https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/tiktok-creator-spotlight-lucy-edwards |website=TikTok |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105121617/https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/tiktok-creator-spotlight-lucy-edwards |archive-date=5 November 2020 |date=5 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Waterworth |first1=Rich |title=Introducing The TikTok 100 – our 2020 Year in Review |url=https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/introducing-the-tiktok-100-our-2020-year-in-review |website=TikTok |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202092038/https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/introducing-the-tiktok-100-our-2020-year-in-review |archive-date=2 December 2020 |date=2 December 2020 |quote=(Image) Voices of Change: @lucyedwardsblind, 794K.}}</ref> In 2021, she joined TikTok's UK Creator Council.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=lucyedwards|number=1375387800724508672 |date=26 March 2021|title=I'm part of the first ever at @TikTok creator council!! I can't wait to talk to the team and be a voice of change in the community👩‍🦯❤️Introducing the first UK Creator Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328074536/https://twitter.com/lucyedwards/status/1375387800724508672|archive-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> By January 2024, Edwards had 1.8&nbsp;million followers.<ref>{{cite web |title=lucyedwards TikTok Stats Summary Profile|url=https://socialblade.com/tiktok/user/lucyedwards |website=[[Social Blade]] |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104134037/https://socialblade.com/tiktok/user/lucyedwards |archive-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Edwards lives in [[Birmingham]] with her former [[guide dog]] (Olga), current guide dog (Molly), and her husband, Ollie.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Visram |first1=Talib |title=‘When does this milk expire?’: Chat GPT-4 is now helping blind people navigate everyday tasks |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90872674/when-does-this-milk-expire-chat-gpt-4-is-now-helping-blind-people-navigate-everyday-tasks |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[Fast Company]] |date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329194331/https://www.fastcompany.com/90872674/when-does-this-milk-expire-chat-gpt-4-is-now-helping-blind-people-navigate-everyday-tasks |archive-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> The couple began dating when she was 17; she lost her remaining eyesight two months into their relationship.<ref name="Mirror"/> At their wedding in 2023, Edwards had her guests and husband put on blindfolds during her walk down the aisle.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Brittanny |title=Bride who lost sight as a teenager has wedding guests ‘live a moment in her shoes’ with blindfolds |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/bride-blind-wedding-guests-tiktok-b2417361.html |access-date=4 January 2024 |url-access=limited |work=[[The Independent]] |date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923223729/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/bride-blind-wedding-guests-tiktok-b2417361.html |archive-date=23 September 2023}}</ref>
Edwards lives in [[Birmingham]] with her former [[guide dog]] (Olga), current guide dog (Molly), and her husband, Ollie.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Visram |first1=Talib |title='When does this milk expire?': Chat GPT-4 is now helping blind people navigate everyday tasks |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90872674/when-does-this-milk-expire-chat-gpt-4-is-now-helping-blind-people-navigate-everyday-tasks |access-date=4 January 2024 |work=[[Fast Company]] |date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329194331/https://www.fastcompany.com/90872674/when-does-this-milk-expire-chat-gpt-4-is-now-helping-blind-people-navigate-everyday-tasks |archive-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> The couple began dating when she was 17; she lost her remaining eyesight two months into their relationship.<ref name="Mirror"/> At their wedding in 2023, Edwards had her guests and husband put on blindfolds during her walk down the aisle.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Brittanny |title=Bride who lost sight as a teenager has wedding guests 'live a moment in her shoes' with blindfolds |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/bride-blind-wedding-guests-tiktok-b2417361.html |access-date=4 January 2024 |url-access=limited |work=[[The Independent]] |date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923223729/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/bride-blind-wedding-guests-tiktok-b2417361.html |archive-date=23 September 2023}}</ref>


== External links ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
* [https://www.lucyedwards.com Official website]
* [https://www.lucyedwards.com Official website]
* {{TikTok|id=lucyedwards}}
* {{TikTok|id=lucyedwards}}
* {{YouTube|channel=UChhMknOcAZOQXC1rh0ler-Q}}
* {{YouTube|channel=UChhMknOcAZOQXC1rh0ler-Q}}

== References ==
<references />


{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Lucy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Lucy}}
[[Category:1990s births]]
[[Category:1990s births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century British educators]]
[[Category:21st-century English educators]]
[[Category:21st-century British journalists]]
[[Category:21st-century English journalists]]
[[Category:21st-century British women]]
[[Category:21st-century English women artists]]
[[Category:BBC people]]
[[Category:BBC people]]
[[Category:Blind activists]]
[[Category:Blind activists]]
[[Category:Blind educators]]
[[Category:Blind educators]]
[[Category:British activists with disabilities]]
[[Category:British activists with disabilities]]
[[Category:British activists]]
[[Category:English activists]]
[[Category:British blind people]]
[[Category:British blind people]]
[[Category:British television presenters]]
[[Category:British television presenters]]
[[Category:British TikTokers]]
[[Category:British TikTokers]]
[[Category:British women educators]]
[[Category:English women educators]]
[[Category:British women journalists]]
[[Category:English women journalists]]
[[Category:British YouTubers]]
[[Category:English YouTubers]]
[[Category:Make-up artists]]
[[Category:British make-up artists]]
[[Category:People from Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:People from Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Television presenters with disabilities]]
[[Category:Television presenters with disabilities]]
[[Category:English blind people]]

Latest revision as of 02:33, 24 September 2024

Lucy Edwards
Years active2015–present
TikTok information
Page
Followers1.8M
Likes53.9M
Last updated: 4 January, 2023
Websitehttps://www.lucyedwards.com

Lucy Edwards-Cave is an English influencer, disability activist, and journalist.

Early life

[edit]
Lucy Edwards
YouTube information
Channel
Subscribers798k[1]
(February 2024)
Total views506 million[1]
(February 2024)
100,000 subscribers

Edwards lost sight in her right eye at age 11 due to incontinentia pigmenti, a genetic condition; she lost her remaining eyesight at age 17. She completed her A-levels at college,[2] and dropped out of law school due to her mental health.[3]

Career

[edit]

After choosing not to pursue law school further, she trained to become a journalist at the BBC through their Extend programme.[3] In 2019, she became BBC Radio 1's first blind presenter.[4]

In 2021, she was named as a brand ambassador for Pantene.[5] In September 2022, she campaigned for accessibility in the entertainment industry, speaking out on the lack of audio description for television shows, films, and theatres, as well as inaccessible website design.[6]

In May 2023, ahead of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, she launched a podcast for partially-sighted and blind Eurovision fans on BBC Sounds titled Eurovision Described, which was co-hosted by Abi Clarke and provided audio descriptions of the proceedings.[4] Five months later, in October, she traveled to Japan to film content for BBC's The Travel Show.[7] In December, she featured on a charity cover of Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday", forming part of influencer supergroup Creator Universe to raise money for food bank charity The Trussell Trust.[8]

In April 2024, Edwards released a memoir, Blind Not Broken.[9] In July, she signed a book deal with Scholastic for Ella Jones vs The Sun Stealer, a middle-grade novel centering a blind protagonist.[10] That same month, Edwards appeared in Mattel's campaign surrounding their first blind Barbie.[11] In August, she modelled for Sinéad O’Dwyer's catwalk as part of Copenhagen Fashion Week, accompanied by her guide dog. This made her both the first blind model to participate in the event.[12][13]

Social media presence

[edit]

Edwards began posting on YouTube in early 2014 under the name Yesterday's Wishes (stylised as YesterdaysWishes).[14] Her content included vlogs about her experiences with blindness and accessible makeup and beauty tutorials.[15][16]

In 2019, Edwards appeared on Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire. She began posting on TikTok towards the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of her videos going viral. In 2020, she was featured in TikTok's Creator Spotlight campaign, and their 2020 TikTok 100.[17][18] In 2021, she joined TikTok's UK Creator Council.[19] By January 2024, Edwards had 1.8 million followers.[20]

Personal life

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Edwards lives in Birmingham with her former guide dog (Olga), current guide dog (Molly), and her husband, Ollie.[21] The couple began dating when she was 17; she lost her remaining eyesight two months into their relationship.[2] At their wedding in 2023, Edwards had her guests and husband put on blindfolds during her walk down the aisle.[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b "About lucyedwards". YouTube.
  2. ^ a b Bletchly, Rachel (29 July 2015). "I lost my sight at 17 and now want to help blind people find love". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Edwards, Lucy (17 May 2023). ""It's Given Me A Fire And A Purpose": Lucy Edwards On Being "Blind, Not Broken"". British Vogue. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b Omar, Rakeem (10 May 2023). "Blind presenter Lucy Edwards hosts Eurovision description show". BBC. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  5. ^ Winter, Lottie (5 October 2021). "'Going blind has excluded me from the beauty industry in some ways, but it's also given me a clearer idea of what beauty really means'". Glamour. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  6. ^ Deibe, Izzie (6 September 2022). "Blind Presenter Lucy Edwards Calls Out Entertainment Industry: "It's Time to Do Better"". PopSugar. Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  7. ^ The Travel Show (21 October 2023). "Japan's ancient art of taiko drumming". BBC Travel. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  8. ^ Annett, Jackie (22 December 2023). "Who are Creator Universe as they vie for Xmas number one against Pogues and Wham". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  9. ^ Crae, Ross (19 April 2024). "Presenter and author Lucy Edwards on new book Blind Not Broken". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  10. ^ Fraser, Katie (11 July 2024). "Scholastic signs 'game-changing' middle-grade adventure from blind broadcaster Lucy Edwards". The Bookseller. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  11. ^ Mac Donnell, Chloe (23 July 2024). "'A positive step forward': Mattel launches first blind Barbie". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  12. ^ Pitcher, Laura (8 August 2024). "Lucy Edwards, the blind model on a mission to 'overhaul' the beauty world". Dazed. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  13. ^ Carty, Gabrielle (8 August 2024). "Glitter Magazine | Lucy Edwards Makes History at Copenhagen Fashion Week". glittermagazine.co. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  14. ^ "YesterdaysWishes". YouTube. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  15. ^ Wallwork, Ellen (14 May 2015). "Blind Beauty Vlogger YesterdaysWishes Demos How To Apply Make-Up Without A Mirror". HuffPost UK. Archived from the original on 16 May 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  16. ^ March, Bridget (13 May 2015). "The blind beauty blogger we can learn LOADS from". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  17. ^ "TikTok Creator Spotlight: Lucy Edwards". TikTok. 5 November 2020. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  18. ^ Waterworth, Rich (2 December 2020). "Introducing The TikTok 100 – our 2020 Year in Review". TikTok. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2024. (Image) Voices of Change: @lucyedwardsblind, 794K.
  19. ^ @lucyedwards (26 March 2021). "I'm part of the first ever at @TikTok creator council!! I can't wait to talk to the team and be a voice of change in the community👩‍🦯❤️Introducing the first UK Creator Council" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 28 March 2021 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ "lucyedwards TikTok Stats Summary Profile". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  21. ^ Visram, Talib (29 March 2023). "'When does this milk expire?': Chat GPT-4 is now helping blind people navigate everyday tasks". Fast Company. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  22. ^ Miller, Brittanny (23 September 2023). "Bride who lost sight as a teenager has wedding guests 'live a moment in her shoes' with blindfolds". The Independent. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
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