Amandla Stenberg is ready to open up about her racial and sexual identity.
On Thursday night, the 17-year-old posted a personal video to Tumblr, so she could break down barriers and open up to her fans and followers about who she really is.
Related: Andy Cohen Apologizes To Amandla!
The teen — who played Rue in the first Hunger Games movie — said:
“It’s a really, really hard thing to be silenced and it’s deeply bruising to fight against your identity and to mold yourself into shapes that you just shouldn’t in.”
The actress admitted that she relates to that struggle, revealing she is bisexual:
“As someone who identifies as a black, bisexual woman, I’ve been through it and it hurts. And it’s awkward and it’s uncomfortable.”
The lovely little lady cited role models like Solange, Willow Smith, and Ava DuVernay as women who inspired her to accept her identity, adding:
“We cannot be suppressed. We are meant to express our joy and our love and our tears. And be big and bold and definitely not easy to swallow.”
Jennifer Lawrence‘s former costar explained that she’s finally ready to embrace her true self, confessing:
“Here I am, being myself. And it’s hard and vulnerable, and it’s definitely a process but I’m learning and I’m growing.”
In the candid clip, Jaden Smith‘s prom date also expressed a need for more women of color and sexually diverse females to be represented in film, television, and the media, exclaiming:
“I’m sick of all the misogyny and homophobia and transphobia that I see around me. And I know you are too.”
Bravo, Amandla! Ch-ch-check out the full video (below)!
The clip was initially featured on Teen Vogue‘s Snapchat after the youngster took over to promote her upcoming issue.
In fact, she also used her Instagram account to share her cover shot, and another inspiring message about accepting her identity.
Take a look (below)!
We’re so proud of Amandla for opening up and sharing her story, and we absolutely agree that there needs to be more representation of all women in Hollywood!
Do U agree, Perezcious readers?
[Image via Amandla Stenberg/Tumblr.]