Real Life Heroes, Love and Kindness Take Center Stage at this Year's MTV Movie Awards
Emceed by the funny and fearless Tiffany Haddish, this year’s MTV Movie & TV Awards did not fail to deliver on big, inspiring moments.
From hilarious parodies of Jennifer Lopez and Cardi B to Black Panther’s landslide win, the popular awards show was chock-full of entertaining moments, but there were plenty of touching scenes, not least the show’s celebration of Pride Month.
From Lena Waith’s nod to previous trailblazers to Keinyan Lonsdale’s equality speech, the show was a celebration of diversity, kindness and love.
If you don’t have anything nice to say, just don’t say it
Although Stranger Things scene-stealer Millie Bobby Brown couldn’t attend the awards due to an injury, the "Best Performer in a Show" winner delivered a pre-recorded acceptance speech that included a strong anti-bullying speech:
“There should be no space in this world for bullying, and I’m not going to tolerate it, and neither should any of you.”
Amid reports that the 14-year-old quit Twitter recently due to bullying and harassment, the actress started off with the classic reminder of “if you don’t have anything nice to say, just don’t say it,” and urged those who struggle to personally reach out to her on Instagram.
Real life heroes need to be honored, not just fictional ones
Chadwick Boseman may have scored big by grabbing the Best Hero popcorn trophy this year, but the Black Panther star chose to use his moment in the spotlight to honor real life hero James Shaw Jr., the 29-year-old who fought off a gunman in April during a mass shooting at a Tennessee Waffle House.
“Receiving an award for playing a superhero is amazing. But it’s even greater to acknowledge the heroes that we have in real life,” Boseman said, handing his award to Shaw. The real-life hero wrestled the assault rifle away from the attacker, saving many lives. After the assailant was captured by police, Shaw set up a GoFundMe campaign for the families of the four victims who died that day, raising nearly a quarter of a million dollars.
If you’re strong, be a protector and eight other life tips from Chris Pratt
Guardians of the Galaxy star and dinosaur whisperer Chris Pratt was this year’s Generation Award winner.
As the star of some of the highest-grossing blockbusters of the past years, not to mention the originator of one the most iconic gifs of all time, Pratt offered up nine tips to leading a successful life.
A mixture of funny and emotional, Pratt’s advice ranged from how to hide dog medicine in a hamburger to working for everything in life.
"It doesn’t matter what it is, earn it. It feels good. Five bucks earned is better than 10 bucks given to you, every time. If you feel like crap, look at your life, what you have that you didn’t earn. Do something to earn it. A good deed, reach out to someone in pain, be of service. It feels good and it’s good for your soul."
The devout actor also spoke of his faith, the power of grace and using our talents for good.
“If you’re strong, be a protector, and if you’re smart, be a humble influencer. Strength and intelligence can be weapons, and do not wield them against the weak – that makes you a bully.”
Pratt also tore down the myth of perfection, urging his audience to embrace their imperfections: “Nobody is perfect… People are gonna tell you you’re perfect just the way you are, you’re not! You are imperfect, you always will be, but there is a powerful force that designed you that way.”
