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.
I saw your video and cannot believe anyone would criticize your hair or looks. You are a lovely person. But, even if you were not, you are a person and no one has a right to try and make you feel less than you are. Bless you and keep feeling good about yourself. .
You are beautiful inside and out!
You are truly lovely!
Thank you so much for your video and your blog post. I have two autoimmune diseases and have been ridiculed many times for having them. People don’t see what is on the inside of us, only what they want to see and either like or criticize on the outside. I appreciate your courage in coming forward to address those that only see beauty as skin deep. You are a lovely woman, inside and out.
Rachel You are truly amazing !!! Thank you so much for sharing ! You just ROCK!! You have true beauty : )
I honestly think that you are beautiful inside and out! ?
I have always frosted my hair, but in the past few years my hair was turning gray. I decided to quit frosting it, and keep my natural frost, the one God gave me. I really like my now brown and gray hair. My husband says it looks frosted to him too. Now we are both gray and I love it. I earned every gray hair I have!!! Just remember, everyone doesn’t live a godly life like you and I. Inner beauty is so much more important than outer beauty. ?
You are beauty in the truest sense of the word. Exceptional video. So eloquently stated. Beautiful smile, eyes, nose and grey hair.
I turned 50 this year and I choose to color my hair because I didn’t like my original natural red hair when I was younger but once it started turning white I had finally matured enough to like it so I’m making up for lost time. LOL. But I think your gray is especially beautiful. I don’t often comment on things I read or watch but your video was powerful in a gentle loving way that is lacking in today’s world and touched me deeply. Your husband is a blessed man to have found such a precious diamond among the rough. I pray God’s healing over your body and his blessings on all your days, and that they be plentiful. Thank you for being a bright beacon of light among darkness.
Wow. This is awesome. I don’t know you, dear Chef, but I love you, your hard-won attitude, and your husband’s attitude. I caved under some of the things that were said to me in school…I was younger than most of my classmates, and bullied accordingly. It took me many years to get over that. Now I am about to be 70 and, thanks to your wise words, I plan to embrace it. To begin with, I am going to exchange my 30-year-old Facebook photo to one taken this month. Thank you for this much-needed eye-opener.
Being 47, we need you to be that person so we can be that person later and now too….
Oh Rachel , Thank you so much , you are so brave and those words are just empowering and honest.
You are so beauty full, and I am really happy that you found a path to love yourself so clearly.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THAK YOU!!!!!!!!!
Omagosh, sweetheart, if that gray hair makes you look 70, I must look 100! You are a beautiful young lady and, you rawk!
It took me over 30 years to decided that I am fine the way I am, at any point in my life. If I change something about myself, it is because I feel it would be better for my health, not because some one called me fat or old or whatever. My grand daughters love me the way I am, my kids love me the way I am, my husband loves me and still looks at me like I was that little 18 year old girl he married almost 40 years ago , because he loves me the way I am. My friends think I am beautiful, smart and funny and they love me, just the way I am. If the people closest to me can love me this way, I should be able to do the same.
I hope you enjoy every minute of your life and what it brings you. I hope you and your husband DO grow old together. And, one of my favorite lines in a song is, I hope you dance. I hope you dance the most beautiful dance in the world…YOUR dance, every day.
Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
Thank you for your courage and kindness. Thank you for using your gifts to encourage. Thank you for challenging all of us to embrace the bodies God gave us here and now. Here’s to gray hair, growing old with our husbands, and loving our bodies for our kids! May your advent season be very rich this year.
YOU. ARE. BEAUTIFUL. You have an amazing message for young women to hear! I love your smile and how it makes your eyes sparkle with the JOY OF LIFE. I am sorry to hear you have health struggles, but I am so happy for you for finding happiness and love in your life instead of dwelling on the challenges of life. You are an amazing young woman. Keep up the good work!