Opinion by MelinaPiperis

With life in Omaha returning to normal, I designated the summer of 2021 my Hot Girl Summer. This title, however, was not of my creation. 

In August of 2019, rapper and songwriter Megan Thee Stallion released “Hot Girl Summer,” a single featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign. While the song itself racked up more than 100 million views on YouTube, its title consequently birthed an even more popular slang term.

Megan Thee Stallion, affectionately known as the “H-town Hottie” and “Hot Girl Meg,’’ coined the term “hot girl” on the cover of her 2019 record “Fever.” On the cover of the album, Megan can be seen sporting a cheetah print two-piece-outfit, with text beside her that reads, “she’s thee hot girl and she’s bringing thee heat.” Her lyrics call upon hot girls to know their worth, and girls all around the globe have accepted this call to action with enthusiasm.

So what is a hot girl, anyway? Does one have to rock a two-foot ponytail and six-inch heels, like Megan, to be a hot girl? Is it really a hot girl summer if it isn’t spent partying with Cardi B? In order to capture the true essence of a “hot girl,” one must look to the Stallion herself.

When asked what Hot Girl Summer is in an interview with The Root in June 2019, Megan explained that it’s “basically about women … being unapologetically them,” and Megan does just that. Megan Thee Stallion is the personification of girl power and confidence. Her energetic beats, commanding lyrics, vibrant style and glamorous selfies promote self-love and unapologetic confidence. While “Hot Girl Summer’’ may mean world tours and luxurious parties for Megan, her music inspires listeners to find what makes them feel like a “hot girl.”

During my Hot Girl Summer, I channeled my inner Megan and focused on what brought me confidence. I spent time with people who encouraged me to embrace who I am and emulate the fearlessness of Megan stepping up to the mic. I experimented with new eyeshadows and shimmery pink lip gloss because it made me feel beautiful, not so I could impress the boy I’m crushing on. I stopped mimicking the lifestyles of those I can’t relate to (spoiler alert: I’ll never look or live like Kendall Jenner!). In order to channel the hot girl energy that Megan Thee Stallion exudes, I spent my Hot Girl Summer growing more comfortable with who I am.

Remember, hot girls, that confidence is a journey, and it looks different for everyone. Whether your Hot Girl Summer was spent dancing on tables, reading on a park bench, or simply enjoying a day with no plans, I hope that time away from school allowed you to embrace your inner hot girl.

As we return to the halls of Marian and begin another school year, I refuse to leave Hot Girl Summer behind. While schedules will inevitably fill up, and days will grow frustratingly short, the importance of strengthening confidence never disappears. Warm summer mornings must give way to brisk winter nights, but Megan is a hot girl all year long, so why shouldn’t I be, too?