Just recently, in September 2014, the World Health Organization published that every 40 seconds, someone takes their own life. Lizzie chose to not give up, but to forgive and to thrive as an author, as a speaker, and now as an activist. At 17, discovering “The World’s Ugliest Woman” video, with its 8 seconds of Lizzie’s face, its 4 million views, and its thousands of comments including KILL IT WITH FIRE, presented Lizzie with a choice. Bullying first became a reality when she entered kindergarten and the whispers and the pointing began because Lizzie looked different. And few people have experienced it more than Lizzie. We live in a culture of tremendous meanness. It was clear quickly, that Lizzie’s philosophy on her health and her experiences, was as rare as her syndrome that mystified geneticists worldwide.
She was a local hero whose time, we found out shortly after, had arrived. Lizzie and I met when I asked her to give a talk at the first TEDxAustinWomen event which I was producing. Rarely is there a story of survival and inspiration that continues to crossover ages, genders, and ethnicities… enter the brave story of Lizzie Velasquez. DIRECTOR'S STATEMENTīullying is a subject that historically yields heartbreaking stories of hopelessness and in many times, loss.
A BRAVE HEART: The Lizzie Velasquez Story is a documentary following the inspiring journey of 26 year old, 58 pound Lizzie from cyber-bullying victim to anti-bullying activist.īorn with a rare syndrome that prevents her from gaining weight, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Velasquez was first bullied as a child in school for looking different and, later online, as a teenager when she discovered a YouTube video labeling her "The World's Ugliest Woman." The film chronicles unheard stories and details of Lizzie’s physical and emotional journey up to her multi-million viewed TEDx talk, and follows her pursuit from a motivational speaker to Capitol Hill as she lobbies for the first federal anti-bullying bill.
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