The story behind the video.
I am utterly overwhelmed and humbled by the response to this video. At the time I am writing this, it has amassed over 2 million views on Facebook with thousands of comments, messages, and emails to go along with it. I think it’s time to share the story behind this viral video for those who are interested.
***The video has since garnered nearly 100 million view***
I recently was honored with YouTube Next Up. As part of the award I was invited to YouTube Space LA to a one week film school boot camp. We were to film a video there, but no kitchen was available. I was at a loss for what I could possibly film without a kitchen. And that is when the comment happened. It didn’t hurt my feelings and it didn’t surprise me either. Lots of people have commented about my gray hair over the years and I have never been ashamed to share my reasons. I decided to answer the nasty commenter and then share the comment and answer on my personal Facebook page. The response from my friends and family there was overwhelming. At that moment, I knew what my video project would be.
The video was filmed at YouTube Space LA with the assistance of four amazing people (Jay, James, Jerry, and my mentor Julie). I wasn’t sure that I would ever post it anywhere, but used it as an opportunity to experiment with filmmaking and storytelling. I had a script and tried filming that. My amazing friend Jerry told me I needed to do a take where I just spoke from the heart. There I was in a dark room with lights glaring in my eyes. I couldn’t see anyone, just a glint of reflection from the camera lens. I spoke to the camera, to an unknown audience, but mostly to myself. And that’s what you see above.
At the end of the week we screened our projects on a movie theater screen with about 35 people as an audience. I held my breath as mine came on screen, wondering what everyone’s response would be. I felt so naked and vulnerable. It was all so raw. I had no idea I could hold my breath for three and a half minutes! The response from my fellow YouTube creators was overwhelming. They were so encouraging and demanded that I post it. It took me a number of days to actually share it on my YouTube channel. I ended up deciding to share it on Facebook as well at the last minute. I was doing a fundraiser for some friends who are adopting a baby and all the traffic to my blog was being donated to them. I thought the video might generate some more traffic for them. I had no idea that the video would end up being viewed by millions.
The response is humbling. I get comments, messages, and emails of support every few seconds. I am making it a point to read every single one simply because I want to make sure each and every story is heard. I don’t know that I will ever be able to respond to them all and I apologize. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day. I have spent the last several days at my kitchen table reading all of your words. I have wept with you. I have laughed with you. And I have been deeply enriched by the entire experience.
People have created a hashtag (#bethatperson) and the message of self love is spreading. BBC has written an article about the video, and people are campaigning to reach The Ellen DeGeneres Show. I don’t even know what to say. I am at a loss for words. How do you respond to accidentally creating a movement like that? I surely don’t know! What I do know is that I am deeply touched and forever changed by this experience. Thank you. That is all I know how to say.
A small note: To the many sincere desires to help my medical condition: Thank you for your concern. I am currently very happy with my current treatment and am not interested in the many offers I am receiving for medical advice.
Great message and something to be proud of. Years are better measured in quality versus quantity.
I very much appreciate your strength and wisdom.
Thank you so much for sharing this video, so well said and it touches.
You are such a strong and a very beautiful woman and you are having a great husband.
Those who speak ill of you are just jealous, Don’t listen to them. Just have a great life!
Love from me/ Tina
Thank you. All I can say are the words “thank you”.
Thank you! What a beautiful and powerful message you give to women of all ages!
Yes, I really liked it, “Be that person what God has made” there can’t be anything more beautiful than. When I am watching this video, I never felt you are not beautiful bcoz Beauty inside is the beauty outside. You are really inspiring.
I recently watched your video. It brought tears to my eyes. Seeing your strength to make that video speaks volumes. For every insult you’ve ever heard I apologize. For every comment, I apologize. For every disdainful look I apologize! No I have never done any of these things to you. I’m apologizing on behalf of everyone who ever has. You are strong! You are beautiful! You are smart! You are perfect. Know this as fact! For this is who you truly are. Too many people are judging with no idea how it affects others. Thank you for your courage! The world needs more women like you. Thank you!!
Sincerely Johannes vandenakker
Here lies true Beautyl!!! Thank you for your honest and inspiring video.
Thank you for your wonderful video. Thank you for reminding us that the outside is no where near as important as the inside. Thank you.
Hello 🙂
I’m glad you made your lovely video that has been shared so much! I’ve always liked white hair…my grandmother was a huge part of my life growing up-she was a generous, wonderful Christian woman who had beautiful white hair. My father, also an amazing and faithful human being, had a full head of stunning white hair from an early age, which meant that that was how he looked for my whole life. I loved telling people I could pick him out of a crowd so easily by his hair. My grandmother passed away when I was about 15 and my father lost his battle with cancer just before I graduated from college.
In my life, white hair has been an admired trait-something my role models had. I’m also fascinated by the changes that the human body can make… Aging is such a mystery and something so many people just run away from and I’ve always found that a bit ridiculous but also just so human. I’m a part-time photographer and I come up against this human fear so often with people just not wanting me to take their picture. I try to explain just how precious each person is to those around them and those who love them but a lot of the time I just don’t think it gets through because that fear of looking bad in pictures is just so strong!
Anyway, all that to say thank you 🙂 for your video and testimony. And your outlook – from one 30-something who will never dye her hair to another 😉
It’s truly a shame that some people have never learned that if you have nothing nice to say,say nothing at all!