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.
Bravo good for you girlfriend!!! Bless you and yours. Something I needed to remember about myself. Thank you! Much love =)
Came across your blog for the first time tonight when a friend posted this video on facebook. Just wanted to drop in and say you are an amazing person and an inspirational role model for woman and men of all ages. The world needs more of you. Thank you. 🙂
BRAVO! You are so beautiful; grey hairs, wrinkles, scars, or whatever do not define who a person truly is. Society’s ignorance is appalling. My favorite saying is: “Beauty is only skin deep; TRUE beauty lies within”, and you, my dear have TRUE beauty. I am over twice your age, have never felt I was “pretty” in appearance, white hairs and all but I don’t care, God gave me this and I accept it. My beauty lies within for those who can see that far. God bless and and your loving husband. I wish you all the best.
I came across your video by accident and I’m so glad I did. It made tear up seeing the emotion on your face and seeing you struggle with the words when you talked about your auto immune disease and being made fun of at a young age. We are a society that focuses so much on artificial beauty and very little on what really matters. I applaud your courage in making that video. Not because you needed to prove anything to the “haters” who have nothing better to do but comment on something so petty and unimportant as someone’s gray hair but because your response shows how much bigger you are as a person and because we all need a reminder to be kind, that its ok to be different , and that being a perfect 10 physically is overrated. Thank you for your honesty and willingness to express yourself even though it hurt to do so. You are BEAUTIFUL!
hell, if the urge hits, dye a purple streak, a blue streak, whatever strikes your fancy. not to cover up gray (in my case my whole head), but to have some whimsical fun.
You are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I am speaking about the inside as well as out. How blessed we are to hear your incredible message and have you share your story. Thank you for showing us your heart and God bless you sweet girl for being REAL!!
I am so inspired by your video and hope others will see it. At 66 I am starting to grow gray hair and I LOVE each and every strand. I feel like a Crone who has learned so much in life and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am so disappointed that anyone would say your gray hair looked bad. You are BEAUTIFUL inside and out. Does this person know that they gave you a complement as the Hag is greatly honored for her wisdom and the special beauty that comes with age. (OLD? No way do you look old.) What a blessing to have such a loving, supporting and Intelligent husband!!!!! You are blessed as I am sure you know. I am very sorry about your health condition and I pray that new medical discoveries will come that can help you to live a VERY long life with your husband. Love, Nan
YES!!!!! Finally someone to stand up for women with gray hair! I am also one with gray hair at an early age. My first one at 18 and by your age I had gray like yours with my dark hair. People would look at me with my children and say what cute grandkids. Uggggg! And these people were women that you could clearly tell colored their hair often. In the bible it says, (paraphrasing) Gray hair is the crown of wisdom. I tell everyone that “suggests” I color my hair that I am letting my wisdom show. I am now 48 and am loving my very increased gray hair! I have better things to do than sit in a salon and have my hair colored. Now, if others do it, that is their choice, HOWEVER, I only ask them do not look down on me for my choice.
Thank you for posting this and show off your crown of wisdom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful!
Rachel, You have discovered at a young age what takes a lifetime for some. You’re living the best life you can, for as long as you can, with no regrets. That poor, unhappy, critical soul has hopefully been given food for thought by your eloquent response. Salut!
So sorry you had to go through that comment…. you are beautiful and I pray you live your life to the fullest! Live and live free!!!