I want to start this article by saying I just recently I found out that one of my fans took their own life due to bullying. And even though I never got a chance to meet them in person, I feel like I've lost a dear friend. My fans are my family and I never want to see them struggle. It pains me so deeply to see how many lovely young people we're losing in this world to peer pressure and hurtful words, and I'm going to do my part to make sure that this never happens again.
People tend to think that because I'm a performer and I don't go to a regular high school that I haven't personally been affected by bullies. But it's actually quite the contrary. I still have to deal with people in my everyday life, even adults who act as if they're in middle school and make it very clear to me that they don't want me around. Naturally, it's taken me a long time to figure out how to deal with that. One of the most terrible feelings in the world is knowing that someone else doesn't like you. Especially when you don't know what you've done to deserve it. You start to believe that you are the problem and that you need to change something about yourself to be liked, but I've come to learn that it's really not our problem, it's theirs.
Sometimes, people can be extraordinarily judgmental and closed-minded to anyone different or special, which is why it's so hard for young people in this day and age to be comfortable enough in their own skin to not listen to the people picking on them. But we shouldn't let them make us unhappy. If anything, we should feel sorry for the people who want us to feel bad about ourselves, because they are the ones struggling for approval. In middle school, bullies tortured other kids because they thought it would make people like them more. But if bullies were happy in their own skin, they wouldn't need to do that. It's only because of your greatness and uniqueness that people notice you and ultimately target you. It comes from their own fear and insecurity. We'll never know or understand fully why people try to hurt others but it's something humans have always done since the beginning of time and will always do. It could be jealousy, insecurity, or just unhappiness. But in the end, all we're responsible for is ourselves. We have to remember who we are and never question ourselves if someone else disapproves.
This past year I did a lot of growing up and I came to understand and love myself in a way that I couldn't before. I will always want to be loved and will always be a very sensitive person, and I know that I will always have to deal with disapproval and jealousy in this industry and in life in general, but I'm certainly getting better at this and I want my fans to be able to be secure and blissful with me. Be happy with being you. Love your flaws. Own your quirks. And know that you are just as perfect as anyone else, exactly as you are.
I'm writing this blog because wherever you go in life, after high school, in college, in your office, at your kids' school, in the retirement home you'll move into a long time from now, there are always going to be people who don't like you. I was talking to my Nonna the other day, and she told me that she is still dealing with people in her circle of friends that give her a hard time. And Nonna said, "You know why? It's 'cause I'm fabulous."
And it's true. :] We're all fabulous. Everyone. Even the bullies, although they might not see it. All we can do is wish them happiness and celebrate our own. Don't ever doubt yourselves or waste a second of your life. It's too short and you're too special.
Love always,
