Bullied kid gets amazing surprise from a number of huge celebrities
If you've experience bullying, you'll know firsthand just how hurtful, painful and humiliating it can be.
So young Keaton Jones' hugely brave anti-bullying video went viral, a number of celebrities came out in support of his message.
Keaton's mother submitted the video to the Love What Matters Facebook page, with the following caption:
"Keaton asked to do this AFTER he had me pick him up AGAIN because he was afraid to go to lunch. My kids are by no stretch perfect, and at home, he's as all boy as they come, but by all accounts he's good at school. Talk to your kids. I've even had friends of mine tell me their kids were only nice to him to get him to mess with people. We all know how it feels to want to belong, but only a select few know how it really feels not to belong anywhere."
This is Keaton Jones. He is amazing. I hope those who bullied him get what’s coming to them. And soon. pic.twitter.com/qgRObI0rto
— Jamie O'Grady (@JamieOGrady) December 9, 2017
In the video, Keaton fights back tears whilst asking the question those amongst us who have been bullied have asked before, “just out of curiosity, why do they bully? What's the point of it?”
Her own voice cracking, Keaton's mum asks what the bullies do to him, to which he replies “they make fun of my nose. They call me ugly. They say I have no friends.”
Before the video ends, Keaton offers advice to others in the same situation as him,
“But if you are made fun of, just don't let it bother you. Just stay strong, I guess. It's hard. But it'll probably get better one day.”
The video, with which so many of us can empathise, soon went viral, with a number of celebrities, including Justin Bieber and Snoop Dogg, rallying behind Keaton to show their support.
Many others showed their solidarity, including Millie Bobby Brown (who began a hashtag #StandWithKeaton), Katy Perry, Ryan Seacrest and Patrick Adams:
Keaton, this is so accurate. Why do people do this? I think your sooo cool Keaton! I wanna be your friend ( but srsly) ur freakin awesome ❤️ https://t.co/LD7Q762bL9
— Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebbrown) December 9, 2017
This broke my 💔 today. Please be kind to one another. #standwithkeaton https://t.co/8XBbFmnuc1
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) December 10, 2017
#KeatonJones, your curiosity and kindness will overcome this moment and bring you many better days to come. #StandWithKeaton https://t.co/8t4ojKLs72
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) December 10, 2017
We hear you #KeatonJones. I was bullied constantly growing up. And could never have put into words what you have. It does get better. And it gets better because of who are and what you know and how you share it with all of us. Thank you for your courage. https://t.co/P4cCQtkAnB
— Patrick J Adams (@halfadams) December 9, 2017
Terry Crews, who recently spoke about his experiences of sexual harrassment and bullying in Hollywood, also offered support:
You are the MAN #KeatonJones. That video is powerful and correct. Bullying is not okay. ✊🏾
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) December 11, 2017
It seems that Kimberly, Keaton's mother who recorded the video, has been showing Keaton just how loved and supported he truly is. Kimberly, who has been unable to respond to all of the messages, shared her gratitude on Facebook, saying she's been totally overwhelmed with the response:
“Friends, overwhelmed is the understatement of the world right now. I'm humbled by the voice my boy has been given, but he's still just a little boy, & he's a little boy who desperately wants acceptance, that I have to try to find a way to navigate him through the difference in true acceptance & attention. I know God has His hand in this, & I trust that the right things will happen in the right time.”