Angelina Jolie’s appearance a the 28th Annual Kid’s Choice Awards made headlines this evening, but the media isn’t talking about what I feel was the most important part of her appearance.  Most outlets are highlighting it as a “surprise” appearance with her daughters, discussing her casual attire, and reflecting on the actresses recent New York Times op-ed piece where she explained why she had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure.  But the highlight of Jolie’s appearance wasn’t her casualness, or an evening out with her daughters, or even the public appearance after such a personal op-ed piece.  The highlight of the evening was something I feel every kid in America should hear, and sadly over the screams of fans at the Kid’s Choice Awards, I doubt many of them did.

Jolie was awarded the final Kid’s Choice Award of the evening for “Best Villain,” for her portrayal of Maleficent in Disney’s 2014 film of the same name.  In an award show filled with slime, non-stop screams at ear piercing decibels, and lackluster jokes from Nick Jonas, Jolie took her moment in the spotlight to make a more serious, though playful, statement after thanking her fans.  The moment was powerful, and poignant, like something you would hear at a more mature awards show like The Academy Awards, and yet it almost feels as though it fell on deaf ears.

“When I was little, like Maleficent,” Jolie said. “I was told that I was different and I felt out of place, and too loud, too full of fire, never good at sitting still, never good at fitting in. And then one day I realized something, something I hope you all realize. Different is good. So, don’t fit in, don’t sit still, don’t ever try and be less than what you are, and when someone tells you that you are different, smile and hold your head up high and be proud. And as your villain, I would also say cause a little trouble, it’s good for you.”

As a father, this was the one moment in the hour and a half long show that got me excited and made me want to jump up and say, “Fuck yeah!”  In a world of bullies, violence, and so much hatred, these are the empowering messages our children need to hear, and who better to hear it from than from the actress that those same kids nominated as their favorite villain.  This wasn’t the Academy Awards, Jolie wasn’t on stage because a bunch of old white men voted her there.  Jolie was on stage because kids across America looked up to her and recognized her as an actress whose performance they enjoyed and Jolie was able to share with those children, what I hope is a powerful and lasting message.

If you missed it, I found it online below.  If you have kids, share this with them, tell them to be their own person.  Don’t let others tear them down and make them feel like they are less of a person because they are different.