Pop star Janelle Monáe tells her young fan that she doesn't have to be perfect ... and it's perfect.
What begins as a celebration of black women being represented in pop culture turns into a beautiful lesson about what perfection really is.
Did it ever occur to you that you might actually have become the role model you always needed?
That's what happened to Janelle Monáe.
Janelle is an award-winning writer, performer, and musician. Prince declared her album "Electric Lady" to be the best album of 2013.
But when she found out a 10-year-old from Louisiana considered her a role model...
GIFs from "The Queen Latifah Show," via jessicaisgray/Tumblr.
She was surprised.
The fact is, because they lack positive role models, young girls throughout generations have faced some serious problems. Of course it's even more extreme for young girls of color.
By the time young women are 10 years old, their self-esteem peaks. For their life. And rates of depression are the same among boys and girls until puberty, but twice as many women are diagnosed as depressed post-puberty.
There's a solution. It's in Janelle Monae and in every single role model who shows their true self.
GIFs from "The Queen Latifah Show."
I know it sounds cheesy, but the answer is in you, when you realize you are enough.
That's when you become your own role model.
Go on try it.
You might be surprised.
GIF from "The Queen Latifah Show."
I'm sharing this in case anyone is feeling like they aren't enough.
It's not much, but it might help.
Don't miss the whole six minutes of supportive, awesome magic below.