Angelina Jolie has given an insight into her misfit youth with an empowering speech in her first public appearance since revealing she had ovaries removed.
The actress has been hailed as an icon for candidly addressing her health woes.
And on Saturday night, she opened up about feeling like an outcast to the young audience, and her daughter Shiloh and Zahara, at the Kids' Choice Awards.
'When I was a kid I was told - like Maleficent - that I was different,' she told the audience as she accepted the Best Villain award for her role in Maleficent.
'But then I realized something: different is good. So maybe you don't fit in. Be yourself.
'And when someone tells you that you are different just smile and hold your head up, and be proud.'
'And as your villain,' the actress added with a wink, 'I would say, "Cause a little trouble. It is good for you!"'
On Monday night, an article by the movie star was published on the New York Times website where she detailed her decision to undergo an operation to remove her ovaries in the wake of a cancer scare.
In the deeply personal piece she explained how she would no longer be able to bear children and said that as a result of the operation she was warned to expect 'physical changes' regardless of the hormone replacements she is taking.
The article, titled Angelina Jolie Pitt: Diary Of A Surgery, comes two years after she published an op-ed detailing her decision to have a double mastectomy to prevent the onset of breast cancer.
'I went through what I imagine thousands of other women have felt,' she wrote. 'I told myself to stay calm, to be strong, and that I had no reason to think I wouldn't live to see my children grow up and to meet my grandchildren.'
She continued, detailing her surgery, the side effects, and explaining that as 'it is not possible to remove all risk' she remains 'prone to cancer.'
However, she concluded: 'But I feel at ease with whatever will come, not because I am strong but because this is a part of life. It is nothing to be feared.'
The Oscar-winning actress signed off by advocating for preventative care, so women in her position could take control as she did.
'It is not easy to make these decisions,' she explained. 'But it is possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue.'
'You can seek advice, learn about the options and make choices that are right for you. Knowledge is power.'
The inspiring star was joined by two of her children at Saturday evening's show - Zahara, 10, and eight-year-old Shiloh.
The sweet family sat front row at the event before Angelina took to the stage to accept her honour.
The trio seemed overjoyed at the event, with Angelina's children particularly thrilled at their mother's win for her performance in Maleficent.
Happy for mom: Zahara and Shiloh threw their hands in the air in excitement after mom Angelina took home the blimp
Fun for all the family: After celebrating their mother's award, Shiloh and Zahara looked delighted to pose with Nick Jonas
Slime was flying as Angelina made her way to the stage to accept her award for favorite villain
Canary Updates
No comments:
Post a Comment