‘This Is Us’ Star Lonnie Chavis Speaks Out After Being Bullied Online
Published on June 27, 2018. Updated May 22, 2019EPA/PAUL BUCK
Lonnie Chavis is one of Hollywood’s most talented young actors, and many will recognize him for his role as young Randall Pearson on the hit TV drama This Is Us, but it seems some online commentators have decided to focus on things other than his talents.
On Monday, June 25, the 10-year-old star posted an Instagram video to address, “all the trolls that have been trolling in my comments, talking about my gap, trolling period. It seems some online trolls had decided to bully Chavis because he has a gap in his teeth, and Chavis had a very powerful message for those people.
“I could get my gap fixed,” Chavis said in the clip. “Braces can fix this, but like, can you fix your heart, though? There are kids out there killing themselves just because of y’all hating and trolling and doing just crazy stuff. I mean, It’s stupid. Is it fun? No. It hurts people. People kill themselves, and you’re the one who’s making them doing it. Fix your heart, though. For real. I’m happy that I can handle this. I can handle this. I’m not tripping. But there are kids out here. If y’all kids are watching this, don’t trip. Be who you want to be. Do what you want to do. Do you. Be you. Believe in yourself.”
He captioned his important video, “PSA! Yes I have a gap in my teeth, that braces can fix when all my baby teeth fall out. I’m gonna keep on smiling though STOP TROLLING STOP BULLYING! Fix your heart! To all those being bullied or being trolled YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, YOU ARE AWESOME, and YOU MATTER! #FixYourHeart.”
